Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

Conservation and Efficient Use of Water (Los Alamos County)

Plan Goal

The overall objective of the Los Alamos water conservation education plan is to lower residential and comercial outdoor water use through a variety of conservation measures that can easily be implemented by residents and owners in a phased approach

Situation Statement

Water conservation has been consistently identified by the Los Alamos Extension Advisory Committee as one of the top five priorities for agents in Los Alamos county. Demand for water nearly doubles during the growing season and can be attributed to water used for landscape irrigation. There is approximately a 15% buffer in available ground water which could be pumped using the current infrastructure and at current demand. During hot, dry weather, the Los Alamos water supply system experiences peak demands at nearly 100% of capacity. This leads to pumping when daily electrical rates are peaking, leading to higher costs to the county. Should any of the seven current wells be removed from service, significant changes to the distribution infrastructure at an estimated cost of 16 million dollars will be needed. The number of single-family homes is expected to continue to see a slight increase in the near future. The Los Alamos County Council is currently adapting the water rate structure, in a break even manner, to encourage conservation in the landscape in an effort to delay significant investment in needed improvements to infrastructure. The 40 year water plan, adopted in 2006 by the Los Alamos County Council, calls for educational programming with residential water users in the county and specifically cites the Utilities Department's collaboration with CES to provide water conservation programming.

Target Audience and Actions

The target audience is composed of both residential and comercial water users. Information will be distributed through extension publications, published scientific studies, workshops, presentations and individual verbal communication with anyone interested in outdoor water conservation. Assistance will be provided through individual verbal communication and/or site inspection of landscapes considered for conservation. Additionally, conservation recommendations will be incorporated into Extension publications, event proceedings, and popular press.

Short-Term Objectives

1. When surveyed, a sample of the general public will report a 25% increase in their knowledge about water conservation in the urban landscape after reviewing the 2007 "Water Conservation Calendar".

2. When surveyed, 75% of a sample of the general public will report having a positive attitude about water conservation in the urban landscape after reviewing the 2007 "Water Conservation Calendar".

3. When surveyed, 15 participants will report a 50% gain in knowledge about the selection and installation of a multi-valve drip irrigation system timer and valve box following a workshop in the Los Alamos Demonstration Garden

4. When surveyed, 15 participants will report having a positive attitude about their ability to install a multi-valve drip irrigation system timer and valve box in a residential setting.

5. When surveyed, 25 participants will report a 65% gain in knowledge about the construction of a rain barrel using locally available materials following a workshop.

6. When surveyed, 25 participants will report having a positive attitude about harvesting water in a residential setting.

7. When surveyed, 25 participants will report a 65% gain in knowledge about irrigation scheduling following a workshop.

8. When surveyed, 50 participants will report a 35% gain in knowledge about proper selection of plant materials following a presentation.

Medium-Term Objectives

1. Through observation and survey, 25% of the residential water users will properly manage turf areas.

2. Local plant vendors (Parijito Greenhouse and Farmers Market) will offer a 10 % increase in the variety of plants adapted to the Los Alamos climate.

3. The agent will develop a curriculum to be used by Los Alamos High School students in the area of water quality.

4. In collaboration with the Parajito Environmental Education Consortium (PEEC), the agent will develop water conservation displays for the PEEC facility.

5. The agent will train personnel and volunteers to conduct irrigation audits for the Los Alamos County Parks Department.

6. The agent will coordinate a water fair for local 4th grade students who will show a 25% gain in knowledge about water conservation.

Long-Term Objectives

1. Los Alamos County will realize a 3% decrease in residential and comercial landscape water use.

Evaluation Plan

Short-term measurable objectives 1 and 2 will be assessed through questionnaires mailed to a sample population three months following distribution of calendar. Objectives 4-8 will be assessed through workshop evaluations measuring knowledge gained and change in attitude.

Medium-term objective 1 will be assessed by a observational survey of sample neighborhoods in 2007 and again in 2009.
Objective 2 will be assessed by a survey of vendors yearly.
Objective 3 will be measured by the distribution of curriculum to Los Alamos High School science teachers. Objective 4 will be asseesed inn the installation of permanent water conservation displays at PEEC.

Long-term objective will be assessed through ussage data collected by the Los Alamos County Utilities Department.