Conservation and Efficient Use of Water

Based on the objectives to teach residents about water harvesting and the construction of rain barrels, 25 participants will report a 65% gain in knowledge about rain barrel construction and report a positive attitude about harvesting water in their own landscapes.

Impact: In collaboration with the Parajito Environmental Education Consortium, 44 residents attended a lecture on simple water harvesting techniques including a demonstration on constructing rain barrels. Thirty-seven of the participants reported at least a 70% increase in knowledge about water harvesting techniques and also reported that the planned to use at least one of the techniques discussed. Techniques included simple wicking systems, swale construction and both active and passive water storage systems. All 44 of the participants reported having a positive attitude toward water harvesting in their own landscapes. Seven of the participants reported having constructed their own rain barrels following the rain barrel construction demonstration.

Based on the objectives to teach residents about the basic parts and installation of an irrigation valve and valve box, 15 participants will show a 50% gain in knowledge and show a positive attitude about their ability to install a valve box themselves.

Impact: As part of the Rio Grande Basin Initiative, a federal project aimed at water conservation education within the Rio Grande basin, 12 Master Gardener volunteers were trained in the installation of an irrigation valve box. Volunteers reported at least a 60% gain in knowledge and demonstrated knowledge gained by offering a workshop for the general public. Forty-two residents participated in the workshop and gained knowledge on the parts of automatic valves, their installation and maintenance. Workshop participants demonstrated knowledge and skills gained by replacing three valve boxes in the Los Alamos Demonstration Garden. Eighty five percent of the participants reported that they felt comfortable installing or replacing an automatic valve following the workshop. Fourteen of the participants sought further information about problems experienced with irrigation systems in their own landscapes. (2007)

Based on the objectives of teaching urban water conservation to residents of Los Alamos County, a representative sample of residents receiving a “Water Conservation Calendar” will increase their knowledge of basic landscape water conservation techniques by 25% and 75% will have a positive attitude about saving water in the landscape.

Impact: In collaboration with the Los Alamos County Utilities Department, the 2007 Water Conservation Calendar, which featured photographs of local xeriscapes and information about practical landscape water conservation techniques, was provided free of charge to 9200 addresses within the county. A survey distributed by the Los Alamos Utilities Department to utility users within the county found that 84% of the respondents had increased their knowledge about basic xeriscaping principles by at least 64% as a result of the calendar. Seventy three percent of the survey respondents found the calendar “extremely effective” in communicating water conservation techniques. Seventy three percent of the respondents also indicated a positive attitude about water conservation. The calendar generated a number of additional contacts with 201 residents within the county interested in taking steps toward a water efficient landscape. The contacts included discussions and on sight visits with homeowners on a variety of issues including plant selection water harvesting, efficient irrigation systems, and use of mulch. Follow-up contact found that 98% had made at least one of the changes which were recommended to their landscapes.

Socorro County was the site for a State wide Western Sustainable Agriculture Reseach and Education (WSARE)on Irrigation and Water Conservation held on December 12, 2006. Producers and Agents across the state gained information on irrigation research and crops from a variety of specialized speakers.

One Socorro Producer has implemented drip irrigation on a Chile field to reduce water usage and increase yeilds.

The Socorro County Extension office has taken a serious look at water systems that can be utilized for ornamental gardens or other operations. Research definitely states that water conservation can be achieved by utilizing drip irrigation. But there are two types of drip irrigation: surface drip and sub-surface drip systems. Rates for these systems are set using nozzles sizes and water pressure. On the other hand, someone might be interested in using an old Egyptian technique of watering that uses clay pots. Little information was known on the effectiveness of these devices, until now. These utilize a sub-surface irrigation technique and water is simply poured into the ollas through an opening above ground, and water then moves through the walls of the clay pots to the surrounding soil and plant roots. Data collected so far shows that Ollas can use 1183 ml in 24 hours versus the rate of drip systems that can range from 1893 – 11360 ml in an hour. More research is needed to assess the availability of water to the plants in a comparison, but Ollas do show to have a benefit for individually planted vegetation.