Save money on outdoor irrigation

The City of Santa Fe water-conservation program will be rolling out a brand new outdoor rebate program in April. The rebate programismeant to assist customers in offsetting the cost of equipment related to efficient outdoor irrigation and to encourage the use of harvested rainwater and gray water from their homes.

Harvested rainwater is a wonderful alternative to potable water for outdoor irrigation, mostly because it does not contain chlorine and can be used when needed. It also helps to offset outdoor potable water use demand and the energy required to pump it. The new outdoor rebate program incentivizes rain barrels at $12 per barrel and cisterns at $0.25 per gallon of capacity.

Systems that maximize capacity based on roof area and that treat and utilize the water indoors for toilet flushing are eligible for additional bonuses. Gray water is also being added to the outdoor rebate program with our new “Laundry to Landscape” program. The rebate will offset up to $175 in parts needed to install the application that diverts water from a clothes washer onto the landscape. It is very easy to install and instructions and video will be provided on our www. savewatersantafe.com website.

The outdoor rebate also covers the cost of irrigation equipment, including rain sensors, soil moisture sensors, pressure reducing valves andWaterSense labeled ET controllers. A do-it-yourself drip irrigation guide will be placed on the website as well as how-to videos on the laundry-to-landscape application and drip irrigation installation.

The city will be working closely with its irrigation vendors on having the information available at their stores and encouraging their customers to take advantage of the rebates with qualifying purchases. The City of Santa Fe also endorses QWEL (QualifiedWater Efficient Landscaper) which is an EPAWaterSense labeled certification program in irrigation system audits.

To find a QWEL certified professional in the area, visit www.qwel.net. The outdoor irrigation rebate program will offer an incentive if you work with a QWEL professional to improve the efficiency of your outdoor irrigation system.

Please feel free to contact us at (505) 955-4225 for any questions on the rebate program or visit our website at www.savewatersantafe.com for rebate information and to access our online applications.

We also encourage all of our customers to download the free EyeOnWater app to track all water use on a real-time basis. During the irrigation months it is very useful in helping find leaks that might be occurring with irrigation systems and to ensure that customers stay out of hightiered water rates.

Christine Y. Chavez has a background in water rights administration and energy and water conservation program management in the state ofNewMexico. She is a graduate of New Mexico State University with a B.S. in environmental science and an M.S. in biology. Christine is the water conservation manager for the City of Santa Fe. She may be reached at 505.955.4219 or cychavez@santafenm.gov.