Highlands Ranch Water has been celebrating Smart Irrigation Month this July by offering efficient watering techniques and programs. Although the month is about halfover, homeowners can still save money by watering their landscapes in a more efficient way.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, up to 50% of water used outdoors for irrigation purposes is lost due to wind, evaporation during the hottest part of the day and runoff. 

Additionally, a household with an automatic irrigation system that is not properly maintained and operated can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water annually. 

This is why Highlands Ranch Water – which serves Highlands Ranch and the Solstice communities – encourages residents to water in multiple, short cycles either before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m., allowing the water to soak into the soil before it runs off onto sidewalks or streets. 

The water district also recommends residents water no more than two times each week during normal, mild weather conditions from April through the second week of October. Landscapes can be watered three times during extreme heat. 

One of the ways Highlands Ranch Water is combating inefficient water use is through a partnership with Rachio technology. 

Rachio is an innovative technology company that aims to provide customers with optimal watering year-round through sprinkler controllers and hose timers controlled on an app. 

Through this partnership, Highlands Ranch Water customers can receive a discount on the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controllers at various times of the year. 

The smart sprinkler controller uses local weather data to determine irrigation needs for individual landscapes and automatically adjusts. The controller also creates custom watering schedules based on the homeowner’s soil, plants and sun exposure; updates seasonally without manual reprogramming; and monitors how much water is being used and saved. 

However, if needed, customers can make adjustments to the controller on their smartphone by using the Rachio app. 

Highlands Ranch Water estimates this device can save an average single-family household about 15,000 gallons of water per irrigation season. 

“The discount is only for 8-zone and 16-zone controllers,” said Lauren Appleby, Highlands Ranch Water digital communications specialist. “And it is a maximum of one controller per customer.”

Zones refer to the number of specific areas of a landscape that are watered by a single vale on an irrigation system and are often used to ensure certain areas are receiving the appropriate amounts of water. 

Customers must fill out a form at rachio.com/redeem to purchase a controller,  and select Highlands Ranch Water as their utility. 

After customers purchase a Rachio Smart Controller, Appleby said they can apply for a smart controller rebate on the Highlands Ranch Water website to get up to an additional $75 reimbursement. 

“We require a receipt of purchase when applying for a smart controller rebate, and those applications must be submitted within 90 days of purchase,” Appleby said. 

Other rebates and programs

One of the most effective and water-efficient systems for Colorado shrubs, perennial plants and trees is the drip irrigation rebate. 

Within the Highlands Ranch Water boundary, drip irrigations are exempt from the district’s daytime watering restrictions and Stage 1 drought restrictions. 

According to the Highlands Ranch Water website, those who convert their overhead spray irrigation system to a drip irrigation system may be eligible for a rebate of $50 per zone. 

Another option is the turf replacement program, which encourages customers to convert water-thirsty plant materials into a water-efficient landscape. This saves the average participant about 25,000 gallons of water annually. 

All landscape conversions must first be approved by the Highlands Ranch Community Association or the Solstice Architectural Control Committee. The water district states that funding for this program is limited, and therefore, is on a first-come first-served basis. 

Applications are accepted through Oct. 1. 

Homeowners can also participate in the High Efficiency Nozzle Replacement Program.

Through this program, customers can receive a rebate of $4 for every nozzle they replace with a more high efficient nozzle, such as the  Hunter MP Rotator, Rain Bird Rotary nozzles, Toro Precision Rotary Nozzles, K-Rain Rotary Nozzles. 

Applications for this program must be submitted within 90 days of purchase.

Other rebates worth mentioning are those for  a rain sensor, a soil test – which reveals nutrients and pH levels – and a Garden in a Box. 

All rebates, programs and applications can be found at highlandsranchwater.org/rebates-and-incentives.

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