Home

District News

Service Area

Water Wise

Job Opportunities

District Regulations

Backflow

Employee Benefits

WATER WISE

Landscape Water Use Schedule:

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Even No Water Use Odd Even Odd Even Odd

Based on the last number of your street address.  Effective Year-Round.
The watering day is from midnight to midnight.  Watering must occur before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Please use water wisely!

 

Press Release:  Irrigation Efficiency Audits Offered to Customers
Upcoming Events and
Water Wise Information

The Big Picture:  Why think much about water anyway?  Vast oceans, glaciers, and large underground reservoirs worldwide make water easy to find.  Water covers 80 percent of the earth's surface.   However, there's not always enough water of the right quality in the right place at the right time.  Above ground, it may be salty or frozen.  Below the Earth's surface, the water may be polluted - either by waste or natural chemicals - or too deep to pump economically.  In fact, less than 1 percent of all water is available for human use.

Every summer, residents and many businesses in the Upper Eagle River Valley double or triple their winter water use.  Water is used to take care of the many necessities of life such as cooking and cleaning.  The majority of summertime water, however, is used to keep lawns watered and landscaping vibrant.  Yet most landscapes could be maintained with 25 to 50 percent less water.

2007 Water Use Regulations
2006 Calendar of Events
2006 Basic Irrigation Efficiency Audit Application
2006 Advanced Irrigation Efficiency Audit Application
Mountain Adapted Landscape Program - Spring 2006
Selecting Mountain Adapted Plants
Colorado State University Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Free Water Conservation Kits
Irrigation Efficiency Certifications
Irrigation Tips Population growth and the increasing popularity of this valley as a summer destination mean more people needing more water.  In order to meet demand, and to promote water-wise use, the Eagle River Water & Sanitation District and the Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority have adopted water use restrictions.  Please refer to the Water Use Regulations.
Tips for Maintaining an Automated Irrigation System
Improving Irrigation Efficiency
Water Conservation Master Plan
A Quick Residential Indoor Water Audit
Water Supply Emergency Plan
Eagle County Historical Evapotranspiration
Permits and Applications
ERW&SD Applications: Special Irrigation Permit - Seed and Transplant Establishment
 
   
 
Weather Information and Links
Graph Showing 2005-2006 Composite Snow-Water Equivalent
Colorado SNOTEL Snowpack Update Map

Real-Time Streamflow Data Available for Eagle River and Gore Creek at the Following Links:

Eagle River Below Wastewater Treatment Plant at Avon:

Past Week Graph Updated Streamflow Graph
Gore Creek Above Red Sandstone Creek at Vail: Past Week Graph Updated Streamflow Graph
Eagle River Near Minturn: Past Week Graph Updated Streamflow Graph
Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA, National Water and Climate Center
National Weather Service Forecast Office - Eastern Utah and Western Colorado
United States Drought Monitor

For additional water conservation information, call 970.476.7480 or e-mail Water Conservation.

To contact Customer Service, call 970.477.5451, or e-mail customerservice@erwsd.org.

 

The above documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.
If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click on the icon to download it for free.

WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM UPDATE
The following is an update of the jointly-sponsored Eagle River Water & Sanitation District (ERW&SD) and Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority (UERWA) water conservation program activities:

Background of our Water Conservation Program:  ERW&SD and UERWA have been implementing a Water Conservation Program since 1994.  In January 2003, the District put together a Drought Management Task Force, which developed a two-facet approach to encouraging water conservation among our customers:  1) a conservation-based, tiered-rate structure which sets per unit costs for water depending upon the monthly volume used; and 2) mandatory water use restrictions to manage daily demand and drought conditions when they occur.  In 2003, the District hired Mike Bauer as the Water Conservation Specialist to coordinate the program.

National Drinking Water Week, May 7-13, 2006:  During National Drinking Water Week, Mike Bauer, ERW&SD's Water Conservation Specialist, presents programs to classes at local schools.  Mike presents information on local water sources, treatment, conservation, and quality in an entertaining manner.

Living Wise Program Sponsorship for Elementary Schools:  The ERW&SD and UERWA along with Holy Cross Electric Association co-sponsor the Living Wise Program which is a nation-wide educational program aimed at fifth graders at elementary schools within our District. Students receive water- and energy-reducing kits to install at home in addition to extensively studying means of water and energy reduction in the classroom. 2006’s participating schools include: Avon Elementary, Edwards Elementary, and Vail Mountain School. In 2005, 133 students participated in the program.

Thirsty Lizard Program for Middle Schools:  The ERW&SD and UERWA have purchased and facilitated the Thirsty Lizard Program aimed at eighth and ninth graders. This program involves integrating water conservation practices with math and science curricula. In 2005, 189 students participated in the program at Minturn and Berry Creek Middle Schools.

Mountain Adapted Landscape Series, April 6-May 30, 2006:  Each Thursday beginning April 6, presentations will be made on various subjects on sustainable landscaping in Eagle County.  Presentations will alternate between the Avon and Eagle Public Libraries.  All programs start with a reception and hors d'oeuvres from 5 to 5:30 p.m. followed by the presentation from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  Course subjects are to be announced in the near future.

Library Book Program:  ERW&SD and UERWA donated a number of books regarding Xeriscaping™ and irrigation systems to the Avon and Vail Libraries.

2006 Irrigation Efficiency Workshop – Drip and Subsurface Irrigation, Friday, June 9, 2006:  This year’s workshop will focus on irrigation efficiency. More details will be announced at a later date.

Household Water Conservation Kits:  The District will provide water conservation kits, free of charge, to customers.  The kits contain low-flow showerheads, aerators, toilet leak detection kits, and other devices, as well as helpful literature.  For more information, call us!

How much of the human body would you guess is water?
Two-thirds of the human body is water.

How much of the earth’s surface would you guess is water?
Eighty percent of the earth’s surface is water.

For additional water conservation information, call 970.476.7480 or e-mail Water Conservation.

To contact Customer Service, call 970.477.5451, or e-mail customerservice@erwsd.org.

Tips for Water-Efficient Landscapes
1 Group plants with similar water needs together; use native water-wise plants and grasses.  Less water means less weeds and low maintenance.
2 Thatch and aerate your lawn for better water filtration.
3 Use mulch/compost for trees, plants, and shrubbery.
4 Water longer but less frequently.
5 Use soaker hoses or a drip irrigation system for flower and plant beds.
6 Use more efficient sprinklers that provide large drops of water close to the ground.
7 Install an automatic sprinkler timer on an outdoor faucet.
8 Reprogram automatic electronic controllers frequently to correspond with current weather conditions.
9 Use rain shutoff devices.
10 Water in the evening or early morning, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

If the above water-efficient landscape principles and water-use guidelines are followed, your efforts should be reflected in your water bill.  Better yet, you can be assured that water, our precious resource, is being used wisely.

 

If you would like additional information about water-efficient landscaping and Xeriscaping,
contact the District at 970.476.7480.

Miscellaneous
  • Do you know where your master water shutoff valve is located?  You'll probably find it near where the water line from the street comes into your home or business.  If a pipe bursts, this valve turns the water off, so find it and paint it a bright color or hang a tag on it.  Be sure everyone knows where the master water shutoff valve is located and what it does.

 

  • Alert residents are often our early warning system for water main breaks and pipe failures.  If you notice water seeping from the street or a manhole cover, a call to the District office will help us quickly send a repair crew.

 

  • Checking for a Leaking Toilet:  To check for a leaking toilet, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank.  If the color shows up in the bowl, you may be losing up to 100 gallons a day.  You may also contact Customer Service to obtain a free leak detection kit.  The loss of water adds up quickly, so contact a plumber as soon as possible.

 


For additional water conservation information, call 970.476.7480 or e-mail Water Conservation.

To contact Customer Service, call 970.477.5451, or e-mail customerservice@erwsd.org.

 

Avon Wastewater Treatment Plant Weather Station Data
Edwards Wastewater Treatment Plant Weather Station Data

 

Home

District News

Service Area

Water Wise

Job Opportunities

District Regulations

Backflow

Employee Benefits

We welcome your comments, suggestions, or questions regarding this Webpage or our Water Conservation Programs!

If you are using Internet Explorer or would rather e-mail directly, then click here.
Name: Subject:
Comments, questions, suggestions, broken links, anything!!:

 

This Website was last updated on July 31, 2007.