By Carol-lyn Jardine
High temperatures and low moisture levels have pushed water conservation into the limelight this summer.
Water conservation practices suggested by the Utah Division of Water Resources are being encouraged in cities statewide.
Top on the list of conservation tips is not watering during the heat of the day, said Bart Simons, water sources manager for Provo City. The peak hours to be avoided are between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. But some citizens are wondering what their municipalities are doing to conserve.
Simons said he knows citizens wonder why they are encouraged not to water during peak hours when they see some of Provo City''s grounds being watered during those times. Provo Parks Manager Doug Robins said not watering during the day is the standard for his department, but it cannot always be avoided.
Some of the city''s areas are monitored and controlled by an automated computer system, however, until more funding is provided, the rest of Provo City''s grounds are on a manual system, Robins said. 'The ones that aren''t automated are hard to deal with,' Simons said. Robins said the manual systems sometimes have glitches that throw the timing of the watering off. When that happens the areas have to be watered when someone can physically go to the site.
Robins said the new system being implemented will be good for conservation efforts. The beauty of the computerized system is up to the minute adaptability, Robins said.
Areas on the new system have water level sensors. When the water levels rise, the system adapts watering times. For example, after a significant rainstorm, the system will adjust to water for a shorter amount of time or not at all, until water levels indicate the need, said Robins.
A system similar to the Provo City plan is in place at BYU.
Grounds Maintenance Director Roy Peterman said the system at BYU is very extensive and constantly monitored for efficiency and conservation.
'The process is a lot more complicated than people think,' Peterman said.
He said his department is always working to improve water conservancy on campus.
Most of the watering that happens in the heat of the day on campus is for evaluation purposes.
'We are doing water audits to ensure that we have the highest efficiency of water application that is possible,' Peterman said.
He said everything from sprinkler heads and soil conditions to micro weather systems are monitored at over 2,000 stations on campus. This monitoring allows very specific adjustments to be made at each station, Peterman said.
Peterman said conservation techniques beyond the basic tips are implemented at BYU. For example, mulch is placed around all trees, shrubs and in flowerbeds, which decreases water consumption by one third.
In general, the stations on campus are watered every third day, with some cycling adjustments to prevent run-off. Peterman said the watering of campus happens between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Simons said Provo has enough resources to meet the needs of residents, but Provo City is encouraging conservation efforts.
'We have had an aggressive water plan over the last 40 years,' Simons said.