Why Waterwise?
Why Waterwise?
Cynthia Bee, BLA Conservation Programs
Where Our Water Comes From• Mountain Snowpack– Rivers– Reservoirs
• Groundwater• Treatment and
Distribution• Future Sources– Bear River– Utah Lake– More Groundwater
Obstacles to a Steady Water Supply• Population Growth– Water sources fixed– Number of people varies
• Environmental Concerns– New projects affect the
environment• Stream flow and
wetlands– Controversy and Cost
• Drought– Cyclical in nature– Unpredictable
Limitations On Water
2nd Driest state in America +3rd Fastest growing population + Highest per capita water use =
Serious future water shortages and cost
increases
Not a Waterwise Landscape
Made for Arizona or Nevada
This is not what we’re asking people to do!
THIS is a “Wasatch Way” Localscape
“Lawnless” Localscapes
“Wasatch Way” Localscape WITH Lawn
The “Utah Island”Typical Utah Front Yard Design BETTER Front Yard Design
Typical Utah Front Yard with Planted Kidney Bean Island
Waterwise Front Yard with Lawn as the Island
Design by Shaun Moser, Conservation Garden Park
“Green The
Bean”
Flip the design so the LAWN is the
“island”
Converting Small Areas
Converting Small Areas
Fully Converted LandscapeSmall steps over time can transition an existing landscape into a more sustainable design.
A little more lawn than some but all lawn area forms a single block of turf.
• Lots of edges to maintain• Grass is NOT useful
• ONE edge to maintain• ALL grass is useful
Avoid odd bits of grass
Hard Way Best Way
Avoid illogical, high maintenance, water hogging scraps of lawn.
What Small Changes Can You Make Now? Rip Your Strip
How Do Waterwise Landscapes make a neighborhood look?
Typical Suburban Street View Waterwise Suburban Street View
8215 South 1300 WestWest Jordan, Utah
Want to Learn More?• FREE Waterwise
Landscaping classes throughout the season
• FREE Demonstration Gardens
• EXPERT advice • NEW Education
Center Fall 2011