Water Conservation
ELCO encourages all customers to eliminate waste and conserve water when feasible. A variety of conservation techniques are available to customers but ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide how to best use the water provided by ELCO.
The greatest opportunity for saving water is by reducing outdoor water use. Approximately 50% of the water used in a typical household is applied to landscaping. Well maintained landscaping provides numerous esthetic and environmental benefits and should not be eliminated solely for the sake of saving water. Customers who choose to focus conservation efforts on outdoor water use should first insure that they irrigate as efficiently as possible. If additional savings are desired, turf can be replaced with drought-tolerant plants installed and maintained using Xeriscape principles.
The links included on this page should help customers learn how to save water both indoors and outdoors. ELCO does not endorse any specific conservation technique but does encourage customers to implement practices that best fit their lifestyle and personal preferences.
Sprinkler Audits
ELCO is offering free sprinkler audits each summer for customers who have not had one in the past 3 years. The number of audits is limited and the calendar historically has filled quickly. Contact ELCO at (970) 493-2044 to schedule an audit.
Landscape Demonstration Garden
In 2008, ELCO received grant money from the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to partially fund the design and installation of a landscape garden that promotes water conservation. The garden promotes a large variety of drought tolerant plants, including six varieties of turf grass for low to moderate water use. Interested customers should contact us to learn more and schedule a visit.
ELCO Conservation Plan 2007
Download: ELCO Conservation Plan 12-5-07.pdf
H2OUse.org
H2Ouse.org was developed by the California Urban Water Conservation Council under a cooperative agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Council is a consensus-based partnership of over 315 urban water suppliers, public advocacy organizations, and other interested parties concerned with water supply and water conservation in California.*
Take the interactive home tour to investigate your water saving opportunities in each area of your home. Click on each location to show you both the facts and specific advice. Check out the Top 5 Actions to discover some of the best ways to save water in and around your home. How much water are you using at your home? How much water do you need to apply to your lawn? The Water Budget Calculator will help you find out! Visit the Garden Guide to find inspiration for beautiful water conserving gardens.
* Some of the water conservation practices promoted in California are not currently permitted in Colorado (rain harvest and greywater systems).
Facing Our Future: A Balanced Water Solution for Colorado
Western Resource Advocates, Trout Unlimited and the Colorado Environmental Coalition have released a new report on how to satisfy demands for water along the Front Range for the next 25 years. Facing Our Future: A Balanced Water Solution for Colorado presents a balanced approach for increasing the Front Range's water supply faster with less harm to the environment and much less controversy than water projects have faced in the past. The report shows that Colorado has enough water to meet its existing and future needs. With proper planning, the state's future needs can be satisfied with: water conservation, reuse, enlargement of existing reservoirs and water supply systems, development of a few strategically located new reservoirs, and cooperative water supply management. Conservation and improved efficiency in the use and management of water, while not the entire solution, have potential to improve Colorado's usable water supplies relatively quickly and affordably.