BACKGROUND

1. The Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District (EAWSD) is a quasi-municipal entity of the state with certain responsibilities towards water. EAWSD includes in its responsibilities to “…promote the health, safety, prosperity, security and general welfare of the inhabitants of the District.” [1] It is, therefore, appropriate and necessary for the EAWSD to concern itself with issues and responses regarding possible shortages of water within the District area.
2. The Santa Fe area is located in a high desert environment. It is likely that from time to time, drought or semi-drought conditions will exist. During these times it is necessary for water-related agencies, water service companies, such as EAWSD, and the water users to cooperate in a program which will limit the dangers and inconveniences of water shortages.

PURPOSE

1. The purpose of the Water Alert Management Plan (WAMP) is to encourage water conservation and the limited use of water by our customers, especially during drought conditions. The WAMP does this by establishing a graduated set of actions by the EAWSD in order to respond to potential and real water shortages. The WAMP defines certain actions to ensure adequacy of the water supply during periods of high demand, low water availability, equipment malfunction or any other event causing a water shortage.
2. The WAMP sets forth suggestions for water use discipline among water users, both residential and commercial, and it also establishes guidelines for water shutoff in the face of flagrant water misuse.
   

SCOPE

• The WAMP applies to all customers, residential and commercial, including construction, of the District.
• This plan establishes an escalating violation [2] penalty, with repeat, non-complying offenders having their water turned off. [3] In addition, there will be less tolerance in Stage 2 than in Stage 1 due to the seriousness of the situation.
  

WATER ALERT STAGES AND ACTIONS:

There are water management stages in the WAMP: normal, Stage 1 (Guarded), Stage 2 (Severe) and Emergency. The first 3 stages, their implementation, restrictions, penalties, etc. are covered in the matrix which follows. The Emergency Stage and its implementation, restrictions, etc., is covered in the section following the matrix.

EMERGENCY STAGE:

The guidelines for the implementation of the Emergency Stage shall be that the water shortage, the water quality or some other characteristic change in the water system shall be critical to the integrity of the water system.

The activation of the Emergency Stage will generally be in accordance with the procedures in the District's Emergency Response Plan (ERP). The Emergency Stage shall be activated by the “Incident Managers” as defined in the ERP. (The Incident Managers are the Project Manager [or alternate] along with the District Water Board Operations Director [or, due to absence of this person, the President of the Board.])

In the Emergency Stage, the Incident Managers, or the water Board, as appropriate and as time permits, may designate restrictions not covered in the WAMP, but which are deemed necessary to protect the integrity of the water system and/or the health and welfare of the District's customers. Such designations might include such things as restriction of all outside watering, limitations on use of water indoors, requirement for boiling water, prohibition of District water for all construction, etc.

For an event not covered by the ERP, the Incident Managers or a quorum of the Board, as appropriate, may designate the Emergency Stage.

PENALTIES

Domestic or commercial use: A District witnessed violation requires one warning prior to shutting off the water. This warning can be verbal or written. If verbal, it must be documented. Water will be turned off with a second violation.

Construction: One violation is sufficient to shut off the water.

IMPLEMENTATION

• The normal stage is in effect at all times when higher stages are not in effect. Recommended action for this stage are found in Attachment 1.
• EAWSD will work to closely monitor the water situation.
• Stage 1, Mandatory - Guarded Conditions will be put into effect when water demand and supply are such that it is difficult to keep the tanks full or near full.
• Stage 2, Mandatory - Severe Conditions- Strict Conservation Compliance will be put into effect when the storage tanks draw down is such that there is concern that the tanks will go below 60% to 70% full.
• EAWSD is responsible for public information regarding water alert conditions. EAWSD is responsible for posting signs at key locations within the District. No signs are displayed for the Normal Stage.
• Alerts will be posted on the District website http://www.eldoradowaterdistrict.com;
• Alerts will be posted on the ECIA website http://www.eldoradocommunity.org
• Alerts will be published in the Wednesday wrap edition of the Santa Fe New Mexican Eldorado
• Alerts will be published in the ECIA Vistas

• Alerts will be included as inserts in monthly bills
  .
• Water alert stages will be reduced as appropriate when conditions improve
• District residents may phone in offenders (name/address) to the District office at 466-2411.
• Variances
• Any variance to any part of the WAMP must be applied for in writing in advance.
• Any variance to any part of the WAMP for medical reasons must be applied for in writing in advance. Any written application for a WAMP variance for medical reasons must be accompanied by a detailed written verification from a licensed medical professional describing the applicant's medical needs and explaining how the applicant's medical needs will be affected by the approval of the variance.
• All applications for variances from the WAMP must be approved by the Board at a regular or special meeting.

Attachment 1:

Recommendations for limiting water use under normal conservation periods. The proposals below can significantly reduce water use if implemented conscientiously. Please help to make this watering program work. Meter readings suggest that as much as one-half of all the water used in April through August goes to out door landscaping.

• Outdoor Watering Plan
• No watering between 10 AM and 6 PM.
• Homes with even-numbered addresses should restrict outside watering, as needed, to the Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
• Homes with odd-numbered addresses should restrict outside watering, as needed, to Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
• Do not water on Monday so the wells and the system can rest and the storage tanks can be replenished.
• Appliances and Plumbing
• Check your water system for leaks
• First turn off all faucets in the house. Check the water meter reading. Wait at least 15 minutes. Read the meter again. If the reading has changed, a leak is evident and needs immediate attention.
• Check toilets for leaks by dropping food coloring or a leak detection tablet in the toilet tank. If color appears in the bowl, there is a leak which needs immediate attention.
• Check faucets and pipes for leaks. A slow drip can waste as much as 170 gallons per day or 5,000 gallons per month.
• Learn to repair faucets in order that drips can be promptly repaired. It is easy to do, costs very little and can mean substantial savings in water and plumbing bills. Check the local library or hardware stores for do-it-yourself instructions.
• Locate the master water supply valve and label it. The master supply valve can be easily turned off in case of a major leak or broken pipe.
• Wrap hot water pipes and the water heater with insulating material to reduce the time it takes for hot water to flow to the tap, as well as to save energy, or add a hot water recirculation pump.
• Ensure that the water heater thermostat is not set too high. Extremely hot settings waste water and energy because water has to be cooled with cold water before it can be used.
• Check water requirements of various makes and models when considering purchasing any new appliances. Some use less water than others. According to the New York Times, 11 March 2006, if you have an appliance that is 15 years old, you will save 50 percent on energy costs with a new machine. By being water conscious, Americans can save as much as 11 trillion gallons of water by 2030. In addition, “The federal government estimates that the typical household spends $1,500 a year on energy bills and could save up to 30 percent or more than $450 a year with machines given the Energy Star rating by the Department of Energy.” [5]
• Use a moisture meter to determine when houseplants need water. Many plants die from over watering.
• Bathroom
• Bathroom use accounts for 75 percent of all water use in the home.
• Flush only when necessary. Do not use the toilet as a garbage receptacle for tissues, cigarette butts or other trash. Doing so not only wastes a large amount of water but also places an unnecessary load on the septic system.
• Reduce the water level per flush by installing a water displacement device in the toilet tank. A capped plastic bottle (1 liter, for example) weighted with sand or water works well. Stones may need to be added for sufficient weight. Make sure the displacement device is away from working parts. NEVER use a brick for displacement. Bricks eventually crumble and can cause damage to the working mechanisms in the toilet. Displacement devices are not recommended for low volume flush toilets.
• Install a low volume flush toilet when building or remodeling bathrooms. Low volume flush toilets use only 1.6 gallons per flush and can save up to 4 gallons per flush.
• Install aerators on sink faucets. Consider one with a shut-off valve to easily stop water flow when shaving, brushing teeth or washing hands.
• Install water-saving showerheads or head restrictors, available at hardware or home supply stores. They can reduce water flow by 50 percent while still providing an adequate stream of water. Make sure the restrictor device used reduces water flow to less than 3.0 gallons per minute. Place the restrictor in the pipe just behind the showerhead or the faucet head to reduce the water flow.
• Take showers. Showers with water flow controls usually use less water than tub baths. Take shorter showers. A typical shower lasts about 8 minutes and uses about 17 gallons. An efficient shower lasts 3 or 4 minutes and uses 7.5 gallons. A full tub can use up to 24 gallons of water.
• If you take a bath, save the water and carry it in buckets to water your outside plants.
• Turn off water flow when lathering up or shaving, using water only for wetting and rinsing. Letting water run uses about 3 gallons of water per minute.
• Turn off the faucet after wetting a toothbrush. Use a glass of water to rinse. Avoid letting the faucet run.
• Collect water runoff in a pail when waiting for water to get hot in the shower or tub. Use this water for plants.
• Kitchen
• Install aerators on sink faucets. Consider one with a shut-off valve to easily stop water flow when washing hands.
• Use a pan of water or a stopper in the sink for rinsing dishes rather than turning on the faucet each time for rinsing or letting the water run continuously.
• If you use a dishwasher, run it only with full loads. Each cycle uses about 25 gallons of water. Use the economy cycle if your dishwasher has one.
• Start a compost pile and run the garbage disposal only sparingly or not at all.
• Laundry
• Wash full loads only (non-high efficiency washers use between 32 to 59 gallons of water per load). If a smaller load is necessary, use the proper load level or load size selection.
• Pre-rinse clothes only when necessary.
• Use cold water as often as possible to save energy and to conserve the hot water for uses which cold water cannot serve.
• Do laundry from 6 PM to 6 AM, a during a lower water demand period, during Stages 1 and 2.
• Outdoors
• General
• If you use one, keep your evaporative cooler operating efficiently with proper maintenance, following manufacturer's recommendations.
• Sweep with a broom instead of a hose to clean driveway pads, sidewalks and patio areas.
• Use a pail of water to clean automobiles and only the hose for rinsing the soap off. Provide a shut-off nozzle for the hose.
• Clean gutters and downspouts manually rather than hosing them clean with water.
• Landscaping
• Follow the Outdoor Watering Plan.
• Learn the principles of xeriscape, and practice them.
• Consider water requirements when purchasing new landscaping materials. Adopt a water-conserving landscape design. Choose plants that have low water requirements and are adapted to this area, zone 5.
• Group together plants having similar watering requirements in order to benefit from the same application of water.
• Do not place shade-loving plants in full sun where excessive water will be required for survival.
• Consider decorating areas of the landscape with rocks, gravel, wood chips or other materials that require no water.
• Condition soil with compost before planting so that water will soak rather than run off.
• Install a drip system for a slow steady water supply to the root area. This technique can save up to 60 percent above other watering methods. Watering root areas helps plants to establish hardness to withstand water alert conditions.
• Adjust automatic irrigation system timer according to season and weather conditions.
• Place a 2 inch layer of mulch around plants and trees to avoid excessive evaporation. Mulching materials include woven weed barrier, bark, sawdust, straw, grass clippings, leaves and compost. Add small gravel to mulch for enhanced treatment.
• Use a timer or an alarm clock to time watering and help avoid over-watering.
• Adjust sprinklers to water only planted areas. Avoid watering run-off.
• Avoid sprinklers if possible. If not possible, use a sprinkler that produces large drops of water rather than a fine mist, to avoid excessive evaporation. Sprinklers that send droplets on a low trajectory also help control evaporation.
• Replace leaky or broken sprinkler heads promptly.
• Condition soil properly. Water does not easily penetrate clay soils and water passes too quickly beyond the root zone in sandy soil. Adding compost and/or soil conditioner and iron to clay and sandy soils will increase the penetrability of clay soils and the water-holding capacity of sandy soils.
• Turn off sprinkler system at the first sign of saturation or run-off to allow the first watering to soak in. Water again in an hour or two if needed.
• Use a soaker hose on steeper slopes to prevent run-off.
• Water only as rapidly as the soil can absorb the water.
• Collect rainwater and roof run-off for landscape use.
• Contour ground with furrows and channels to direct rain and run-off water to planted areas.
• Keep weeds pulled to prevent competition with other plants for water.
• Move container plants to shade protected areas to prevent them from quickly drying out during windy conditions.
• Contact local nurseries for more tips and for advice particular to the Eldorado area.
• Contact OMI or the Office of the State Engineer to receive a copy of “New Mexico Gray Water Guide.”