To all our New Mexico Water Conservation
Alliance Friends and Colleagues…

Welcome to the first electronic version of the Conservation Current!

We are excited to bring our long-standing tradition of water conservation news into a new format that will make it easier for you to access and read the latest news and for us to produce it-all while walking the conservation talk by saving paper and postage. We appreciate your support over the years and welcome your comments and feedback regarding this new version.

Remember: You need to sign up to receive notice of this e-version. It’s quick and easy! Just visit the NMWCA website and click on Conservation Current.

"Landscaper Training" teaches landscape professionals about efficient water use.
You know the challenges,but do you know the solutions? Learn about he latest technologies for saving water at this fall New Mexico Landscaper training.

Team up with the EPA and their new program, “Water-Sense”
As water professionals, we are always on the lookout for water-saving solutions. Thanks to a new program called Water Sense, our job just got easier.

Want to know who’s lecturing this fall?
Check out the latest series of water lectures that begin with global climate change and its implications for our state.

“Water Smart” classes bring a flood of residents
Over 1000 city residents attended the first 13 classes in this free one-hour training on saving water. Residents get $20 off their water bill for participating.

Albuquerque Water Rebates Program offers guidelines for saving water.
Reduce your use, get a free residential water audit, and save money on your water bill with the city’s help.

Landscaper Training: Teaches Landscape Professionals about Efficient Water Use

Landscaping in New Mexico can be wasteful and disappointing if not done properly. Not every garden must be a xeric garden, but there are educated decisions and practices that not only support a flourishing landscape, but also the principals of water conservation. To better educate professionals, the New Mexico Water Conservation Alliance, in cahoots with the Irrigation Association, has organized a Landscaper Training Conference to take place this coming November 5, 6 and 7.

The goals of the conference are threefold:

Monday, November 5
The first day of the conference will feature lectures and exhibits by professionals and experts in the field. Exhibitors will be invited representatives within the realms of irrigation companies, plant specialists, and rainwater harvesting. The speakers will include Doug Bennett, Brent Mechem, Joran Viers, Richard Jennings, Nate Downey, Judith Phillips, Fabian Chavez, and George Radnovich. All lectures will be categorized into three tracks: Irrigation Principals, Waterwise Landscaping, and Waterwise Design.

The cost for this one-day workshop is $75.00. This includes your choice of the lecture series, program materials, access to the exhibit area, lunch, and a continental breakfast.

Tuesday and Wednesday, November 6 and 7
These two days will offer continuing education classes as well as a unique opportunity to be trained and certified by the Irrigation Association.
The classes are:

Attendees will have an opportunity to take the CLIA or any other exam offered by the Irrigation Association, but must register separately with the Irrigation Association at http://www.irrigation.org.
Classes range from beginning to intermediate and cost $85 to $215. Participants can register for a half day, 1 day or 1 1/2 days.

This conference will take place at the Central New Mexico Workforce Training Center in Albuquerque. For registration or information, please visit The New Mexico Water Conservation Alliance Homepage at: http://wrri.nmsu.edu/wrdis/nmwca/alliance.html and click on Projects and Events: New Mexico Landscaper Training.

Water Smart Classes Bring a Flood of Residents

If you are like most Albuquerque residents, you have concerns about when and how much to water your landscape, but this summer, residents could get their questions answered at the new Water Smart classes offered by the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility (ABQWUA).

These classes proved to be a huge success with over 1000 residents attending one of the 13 sessions. The first class could only accommodate 60 people, but 200 showed up. Because of this unprecedented turnout, ABQWUA added four more classes to wind up the summer months and teach residents how to taper down their landscape water use for the fall and winter seasons.

Not only were the classes free, but residents also got a $20 credit on their water bill just for attending. Each person received a Water Smart Training handout as well as copies of several other water conservation manuals. (If you missed the training, you can still get an electronic version of the Water Smart Training handout by e-mailing Richard Chapman of Smart Use, LLC. at richardsmartuse@yahoo.com.)

They also learned tips for irrigation design, system maintenance, understanding individual plant water needs, and resources for more information. Workshop leaders also demonstrated how to use technologies such as rain sensors, pressure reducers, and sprinkler heads.

Water Smart classes were developed under the direction of Katherine Yuhas, the WUA's Water Conservation Officer. Presenters included Richard Chapman and Matt Dickens of Smart Use, LLC. To learn more about the classes, go to http://www.abcwua.org.

Albuquerque Water Rebates Program Offers
Guidelines for Saving Water

From 33% to 40%.... Can we do it?

Since 1994, residents, businesses, and the city have together reduced water usage by 33%, but local government has a bigger goal in mind. It wants to see a 40% reduction by 2014. To do it, the City of Albuquerque has launched an extensive conservation incentive program that makes saving water fun and easy.

Here are just some of the ways you can help conserve and save:

The options are endless and you’ll love the results. You can find everything you need to know about saving money while conserving water at http://www.cabq.gov/sustainability/green-goals/water.

WaterSenseSM
Makes Saving Water Easy

We know water is precious. Those of us working in public and private sectors work hard to reach consumers with water-saving ideas and products that promote conservation. Thanks to a new program called WaterSense, our job just got easier.

WaterSense is a new EPA initiative designed to protect the future of our nation’s water supply through public and private partnerships, products, and certification programs directed at consumers as well as professionals. They have a great Web site with tons of information. Here’s a quick summary of what WaterSense is, what products and services they offer, and where you can go for more information.

What is WaterSense?

The WaterSense Label

WaterSense has created guidelines and principles for evaluating products and services for water efficiency. Those that pass the rigorous evaluation process receive the WaterSense label. The first product to make the list is high efficiency-toilets, but in the near future, you’ll see bathroom sink faucets and showerheads, followed by commercial products such as urinals, valve-type toilets, and steam sterilizers. Products are independently certified by third-party professionals to confirm that they meet EPA criteria for efficiency and performance. For a current list of WaterSense labeled HETs, go to http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/find_het.htm.

Irrigation auditors, contractors, and designers can apply for WaterSense certification (and the label) for their professional certification programs. Consumers will be able to access a list of these professionals who are partnering with WaterSense to provide services that reduce consumption in landscapes and offer sage advice on the latest innovations and technology.

The WaterSense label means the product or service is guaranteed to meet EPA standards for water efficiency. In general, products will be about 20% more water efficient than their counterparts and will function as well if not better than other products in the same category.

Certification Programs

Last October, the EPA recognized certification programs in three areas:
1) System design, 2) Installation and maintenance, and 3) System auditing.

Currently, there are four WaterSense certification programs:

When a professional certification program has the WaterSense label, it means landscape irrigation professionals who take the course will be certified in one or more of these areas. You can access the certification criteria at http://www.epa.gov/watersense/specs/cert.htm.

The EPA needs our help!

As water professionals, we can partner with the EPA and WaterSense to make water-efficient products and services available to the public and increase awareness among consumers of water conservation. Check out the WaterSense Web site at http://www.epa.gov/watersense/index.htm.

Want to Know Who’s Lecturing This Fall?

NMSU College of Agriculture and Home Economics, WRRI,
and Civil Engineer Fall 2007 Water Lecture Series Presents:

For more information: http://spectre.nmsu.edu/watertaskforce/welcome.html.