AUGUST 2014 SUNRAYS | 7
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
Let’s Communicate!
Jim Romine, Executive Director
G
iven the historic drought condi-
tions, the growth of Central Texas
and the demand for water, it is
comforting to knowwe have a few groups
in Sun City Texas looking at ways to use
and conserve this natural resource. This
month’s article is dedicated to providing
our community with a brief summary of
each of these water groups and how their
work helps all of us in Sun City Texas.
Remember, we cannot
make
water, but
we can
use
it responsibly.
Water Ambassadors
The goal of the Water Ambassadors is to
conserve water through educating resi-
dents on the proper use of their irrigation
systems for the Central Texas climate,
thereby helping homeowners irrigate ef-
fectively and intelligently.
Water Ambassadors
Do:
• Familiarize the resident with their
sprinkler control box so as to ably pro-
gram their own irrigation settings.
• Check to ensure that sprinkler heads
are working properly and distributing
water efficiently to the lawn and planter
beds.
• Provide advice on recommended ac-
tions of water conservation measures
consistent with current Central Texas
soil moisture conditions.
• Review with the resident where water
shut-off valves are located.
• Familiarize the resident with the City
of Georgetown’s AquaAlert System
(presetting water usage levels and re-
ceiving alerts when reached).
• Provide information on Georgetown
Utility Systems landscape irrigation
restrictions in effect.
Water Ambassadors
Do Not:
• Repair anything! Irrigation installa-
tion and repairs are regulated in Texas
by the TCEQ (Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality), and are to be
completed by appropriately licensed in-
dividuals.
(Note: The TCEQ regula-
tions DO allow for homeowners to
performtheir own repairs on their
own properties.)
• Respond to emergencies, such as wa-
ter line breakage, frozen water pipes,
broken sprinkler heads or water supply
lines, water sensor malfunction, any
water-related problems in the home, etc.
NRO Resident Water
Conservation Subcommittee
This group works as a “think tank” for the
Water Ambassadors, helping them meet
their goals and providing input on ways
to enhance the overall Water Ambassa-
dor program. One of the subcommittee’s
main goals is to encourage homeowners
to review their water bills each month,
educating themselves on their monthly
water usage. Please note, the city’s objec-
tive is for homeowners to use nomore than
160 gallons per person per day, including
outdoor irrigation.
P&G Water Conservation
Subcommittee
The Property & Grounds Committee
formed aWater Conservation Subcommit-
tee in early 2011 to identify plans, projects
and programs addressing our irrigation
shortcomings and/or needs specific to sys-
tems, infrastructure, andmanagement as
it relates to water conservation efforts for
our community amenities and common
areas (non-residential). The subcommit-
tee’s main focus has been on converting
potable water (drinking water) use to non-
potable water for our common area irriga-
tion. Their work has been successful and
to-date reflects converting approximately
83million gallons of potable water usage to
non-potable per year. This conversion saves
the Community approximately $87,000
per year.
Our Golf Operations team has been in-
volved in this subcommittee and has done
a great job managing irrigation on our
golf courses. Please refer to the great ar-
ticle concerning water usage on our golf
courses, submitted by RonDelaney, which
appeared on page 54 of the June
SunRays
.
Landscape Maintained Homes
Water Conservation Program
The LMHCommittee has an ongoing pro-
active water conservation program that is
currently testing two products designed
to reduce water usage for landscaping.
Current testing includes a soil moisture
sensor and the testing of Aqua Smart, a
soil amendment. Both of these products
can save water both independently and
in conjunction with one another.
The soil sensors, when tested on a small
scale within the LMH program, resulted
in approximately a 20 percent reduction in
landscape water use. These savings were
sufficient enough to expand the program
into 2014 and the group is currently test-
ing 35 sensors throughout the LMH pro-
gram. The soil sensor’s primary advantage
is that it interrupts the controller at times
when irrigation is scheduled, but should
not run due to sufficient moisture in the
soil resulting from recent rainfall.
Aqua Smart is a soil amendment product
that has the ability to absorbwater equiva-
lent to up to 10 times its own weight; then,
as the plant needs it, release the stored
water gradually.
The committee is evaluating both of these
products to determine their feasibility and
return on investment for the LMHprogram.
Modifications Committee
The Modifications Committee continues
to evaluate amendments to the Design
CA NEWS
Water Conservation Groups in Sun City Texas
Continued on page 9
