Why Waterwise Landscapes Matter
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The document discusses why water conservation, or being "waterwise", is important for Utah. It notes that Utah gets its water from mountain snowpack, rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater, but faces obstacles to a steady water supply like population growth, environmental concerns, and drought. Utah has the second driest climate in the US but the third fastest growing population, and highest per capita water use, which could lead to serious future water shortages and cost increases if changes are not made. The document promotes adopting "waterwise" or xeriscape landscaping principles like eliminating turf grass where it is not useful and making other small changes over time to transition to more sustainable water use.
Why Waterwise Landscapes Matter
- 1. Why Waterwise? Why Waterwise? Cynthia Bee, BLA Conservation Programs
- 2. Where Our Water Comes From • Mountain Snowpack – Rivers – Reservoirs • Groundwater • Treatment and Distribution • Future Sources – Bear River – Utah Lake – More Groundwater
- 3. Obstacles to a Steady Water Supply • Population Growth – Water sources fixed – Number of people varies • Environmental Concerns – New projects affect the environment • Stream flow and wetlands – Controversy and Cost • Drought – Cyclical in nature – Unpredictable
- 4. Limitations On Water 2nd Driest state in America + 3rd Fastest growing population + Highest per capita water use = Serious future water shortages and cost increases
- 7. Made for Arizona or Nevada
- 8. This is not what we’re asking people to do!
- 9. THIS is a “Wasatch Way” Localscape
- 13. “Wasatch Way” Localscape WITH Lawn
- 15. The “Utah Island” Typical Utah Front Yard Design BETTER Front Yard Design
- 16. Typical Utah Front Yard with Planted Kidney Bean Island
- 17. Waterwise Front Yard with Lawn as the Island Design by Shaun Moser, Conservation Garden Park
- 18. “Green The Bean” Flip the design so the LAWN is the “island”
- 21. Fully Converted Landscape Small steps over time can transition an existing landscape into a more sustainable design.
- 24. A little more lawn than some but all lawn area forms a single block of turf.
- 25. • Lots of edges to maintain • Grass is NOT useful • ONE edge to maintain • ALL grass is useful
- 26. Avoid odd bits of grass Hard Way Best Way Avoid illogical, high maintenance, water hogging scraps of lawn.
- 27. What Small Changes Can You Make Now? Rip Your Strip
- 28. How Do Waterwise Landscapes make a neighborhood look? Typical Suburban Street View Waterwise Suburban Street View
- 29. 8215 South 1300 West West Jordan, Utah Want to Learn More? • FREE Waterwise Landscaping classes throughout the season • FREE Demonstration Gardens • EXPERT advice • NEW Education Center Fall 2011