Do you want a green lawn this summer?

Sounds impossible given we are already in stage 2 water restrictions.  However, there is an amazing new technology that will allow you to have green grass during the drought and will save you money on your water bills.  It is a new underground drip irrigation system for your lawns.  This is easiest done when you are installing a new lawn but it can be done on an existing lawn.

 

Here is how it works - Tubing is trenched about 3"-4" below the grass surface and covered over with sod.  When the system comes on, the grass roots are watered -which is the only part of the grass that needs the water.  Drip irrigation is the world's most efficient type of irrigation and subsurface drip is especially so because it is unaffected by wind and evaporation resulting in 70% less water use than conventional overhead sprinklers.

Pretty Amazing - Save Water and Money and have green grass all year long! 

Preferred is in the News!

Preferred Landscape and Lighting was featured on San Antonio's KABB Fox News in regards to the anticipation of tighter water restrictions this summer.  The link below will take you to recap of the story as well as the newsclip.  To see the clip, click on the picture at the top of the article.

  

Click to view news interview featuring our own David Dunne

For the next few weeks, the blog will focus on what you can do now to ensure a healthly landscape for the forecasted dry conditions.

 

For more details on the water restrictions, visit www.saws.org.

Stage Two Water Restrictions Looming for San Antonio...

The following is an email we received this morning from the Conservation Project Coordinator at SAWS...

"Stage 2 will probably be declared on Monday, April 30^th .  Please contact your customers and arrange to change their controllers if they have not already done so.  Stage 3 is a definite possibility later this summer.  Again, permitted hours for Stage 2 are 3 am – 8 am and 8 pm – 10 pm, one day a week.

Also, there has been some confusion on the New Landscape Variances.  Variances are not automatic.  They are given to newly built houses and commercial buildings, major renovations resulting from unforeseen events like utility construction or re-grading due to soil slippage.  Drought is not considered unforeseen.  They are not necessarily given to vast expanses of 100% turf replacement or to small beds or sections of turf (“Beautification landscape projects do not qualify for a variance...Replacing or adding plants or turf to existing, established landscapes is highly discouraged and generally will not be granted a variance unless extenuating circumstances exist..”). 

We want to take this opportunity to encourage you to speak to your customers on the benefit of not replacing turf and rather going to expanded beds or hardscape.  These will receive more favorable attention for variances and are options less likely to die once again during this continuing drought.  We also want to encourage a dialogue with you on ways we can get the message out on not replacing 100% turf, i.e. more media information, expanded rebates, etc.  We are looking for any suggestion right now.

Contact me if you have any questions or comments."

Mark A. Peterson

Project Coordinator – Conservation

SAWS

Stage One Water Rules Reinstated for San Antonio

Although the region enjoyed a mild and wet winter, aquifer levels never fully recovered and once again San Antonio’s J-17 Edwards monitoring well has dropped to 659.7 feet. With this news, San Antonio’s City Manager Sheryl Sculley announced that Stage One demand management rules are in effect.

“Pursuant to City Ordinance, the city manager must declare Stage One,” said San Antonio City Manager Sheryl Sculley. “Based upon the recommendation and in consultation with SAWS, Stage One is in effect.”

“San Antonians are accustomed to the impacts of our semi-arid climate,” added Sculley. “We appreciate their support of water conservation while the region awaits the next rainfall.”

Stage One of the city’s drought plan is triggered when the official daily level of the Edwards Aquifer drops to 660 feet or below at the J-17 monitoring well. According to the city’s Aquifer Management Plan ordinance, to end Stage One the level must return and stay above 660 feet for 30 days.

“Thanks to the water smart ways of San Antonians, our city was able to weather the drought last year,” said SAWS President/CEO Robert R. Puente. “It’s reassuring to know that we’re prepared and have the methods and resources ready, even during dry weather.”

“While we have an ample supply of water from the Edwards and other sources, state law requires us to cut back on pumping when the Edwards Aquifer reaches certain levels,” continued Puente. “Our neighbors around the Edwards region are subject to the same law, so our actions are a cooperative effort.”

Under Stage One, outdoor watering with a sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed only before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. one day per week, as determined by the last number of your street address:

• 0 or 1 – Monday
• 2 or 3 – Tuesday
• 4 or 5 – Wednesday
• 6 or 7 – Thursday
• 8 or 9 – Friday

Watering days begin and end at midnight; overnight watering is not allowed. Water waste, such as water running down the street, is prohibited year-round. However, watering with a handheld hose, soaker hose, or drip irrigation is still allowed any day, any time.

Source: http://www.saws.org/latest_news/NewsDrill.cfm?news_id=829