1. Shawna Trarbach City of Lawrence Stormwater Quality Technician
Water Conservation
Shawna Trarbach
City of Lawrence
Stormwater Quality Technician

2. Rain Barrels
Xeriscape
Rain Gardens
Native and Drought resistant plants
Around the house tips

3. Rain Barrels Collects rain water from off of your roof
Water can be used for almost anything, just don’t drink it
1” of rainfall produces .6 gallon of water per square foot. This results in gallons of water flowing from the average house during a 1” rain.

4. Rain Barrel Setup
Downspout
When setting up and building your barrel it is important to keep in mind where you will put it. This will help determine where you will place the overflow hose and hose bibb.
Water Filter
Overflow
Hose
Bibb
Raised
Platform
Garden Hose

5. Rain Barrels
Multiple barrels can be linked together to increase storage or multiple barrels can be set up on different downspouts.

6. Rain Barrel Maintenance
Periodically remove debris from filter or screen
Check overflow hose for clogs
Inspect tank for crack or buildup of debris in the bottom
Check tank fittings for overflow hose and hose bibb
If mosquiots become a problem, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to water to form film on top
Winterize your barrel by either storing it inside a garage or shed or store it upside down in its location so it will fully drain and remain relatively clean of debris

7. Xeriscape
Refers to landscaping and gardening in ways that reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental water from irrigation

8. Xeriscape Benefits Saves Water Less Maintenance
No Fertilizers or Pesticides
Reduces Pollution
Provides Wildlife Habitat
For most of North America, over 50% of residential water used is applied to landscape and lawns. Xeriscape can reduce landscape water use by 50-70%.
Aside from occasional pruning and weeding, maintenance is minimal. Watering requirements are low and can be met with simple irrigation systems.
Using plants native to your area will eliminate the need for chemicals supplements. Sufficient nutrients are provided by healthy organic soil.
Fossil fuel consumption from gas mowers is minimized or eliminated with minimal turf area. Small turf areas can be maintained with a reel mower.
Use of native plants, shrubs and trees offer a familiar and varied habitat for local wildlife.

9. 7 Principals of Xeriscaping
Water Conservation
Soil Improvement
Creates Limited Turf Areas
Use Appropriate Plants
Mulch
Irrigate
Maintain your landscape
By planting native and drought resistant plants you can reduce the amount of water needed for your lawn.
The ideal soil in a water-conserving landscape does two things simultaneously: it drains quickly and sotres water at the same time. This is achieved through adding organic material (compost) to the soil and keeping it well aerated.
Reduces the size of turf areas as much as possible
For best results use plants that are native to your region
Cover the soil’s surface around plants with much to help retain soil moisture and temp, prevent erosion and block out competing weeds.
Water conservation is the goal, so avoid overwatering by using soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems.
Low maintnenace is one of the benefits of xeriscape. Some weeding may be required, avoid fertilizing

10. Rain Gardens
Rain Gardens are a landscaped area that receives stormwater runoff from roofs, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and compacted areas. Compared to a conventional lawn, Rain Gardens can allow 30% more water to soak into the ground.

11. Benefits of Rain Gardens
Filters runoff pollutants
Deters flooding impacts
Conserves water
Creates bird/butterfly habitat
Increases aesthetic benefits
Recharge local groundwater
Improve water quality
Protects rivers and streams
Remove standing water in your yard
Reduce garden maintenance

12. Native and Drought Resistant Plants
Rudbeckia, Black Eye Susan
Achillea, Yarrow
Blue Flag Iris
Coreopsis, Tickseed

13. Native and Drought Resistant Plants
Asclepias, Butterfly Flower
Salvia, Sage
Euphorbia, Spurge
Torch Lily, Kniphofia

14. Native and Drought Resistant Plants
Little Blue Stem
Buffalo Grass
Kentucky Bluegrass
Sideoats Grama

15. Around the Home Tips Check faucets and pipes for leaks
A small drip from the faucet can waste 20 gallons of water per day, larger ones can waste hundreds.

16. Around the Home Tips Check your toilets for leaks.
Put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak.

17. Around the Home Tips Take shorter showers.
A four minute shower uses approximately 20 to 40 gallons of water. One way to cut down that time is to turn off the shower while soaping up and then to turn it back on to rinse.
Turn off the water after you wet your tooth brush.

18. Around the Home Tips Keep a bottle of water in the fridge.
Running tap water to cool it off for drinking is wasteful. Another option is to use ice cubes if you prefer cold drinking water.

19. Around the Home Tips Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants
Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth. Adding 2-4 inches of organic material will increase the ability of the soil to retain moisture.

20. Around the Home Tips
Water during the early parts of the day; avoid watering when it is windy.
Early morning is generally better than dusk since it helps prevent the growth of fungus. Early morning watering helps reduce water loss due to evaporation and it is also the best defence against slugs and other garden pests. Try not to water when it’s windy, wind can blow sprinklers off target and speed up evaporation.

21. Around the Home Tips Don’t let the hose run while washing your car.
Clean your car using a pail of soapy water. Use the hose only for rinsing and use a spray nozzle for higher efficiency. This simple practice can save as much as 150 gallons of water.
Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.

22. Questions?