Why Waterwise?

Why Waterwise?

Cynthia Bee, BLA Conservation Programs

Where Our Water Comes From• Mountain Snowpack– Rivers– Reservoirs

• Groundwater• Treatment and

Distribution• Future Sources– Bear River– Utah Lake– More Groundwater

Obstacles to a Steady Water Supply• Population Growth– Water sources fixed– Number of people varies

• Environmental Concerns– New projects affect the

environment• Stream flow and

wetlands– Controversy and Cost

• Drought– Cyclical in nature– Unpredictable

Limitations On Water

2nd Driest state in America +3rd Fastest growing population + Highest per capita water use =

Serious future water shortages and cost

increases

Not a Waterwise Landscape

Made for Arizona or Nevada

This is not what we’re asking people to do!

THIS is a “Wasatch Way” Localscape

“Lawnless” Localscapes

“Wasatch Way” Localscape WITH Lawn

The “Utah Island”Typical Utah Front Yard Design BETTER Front Yard Design

Typical Utah Front Yard with Planted Kidney Bean Island

Waterwise Front Yard with Lawn as the Island

Design by Shaun Moser, Conservation Garden Park

“Green The

Bean”

Flip the design so the LAWN is

the “island”

Converting Small Areas

Converting Small Areas

Fully Converted LandscapeSmall steps over time can transition an existing landscape into a more sustainable design.

Lawn is the island, not plants.

A little more lawn than some but all lawn area forms a single block of turf.

Lawn should be a SHAPE that all other elements are organized around.

• Lots of edges to maintain• Grass is NOT useful• Visually disorganized

• ONE edge to maintain• ALL grass is useful• Well organized, “clean” look

Island in Lawn VS. Lawn as Island

Avoid odd bits of grass

Hard Way Best Way

Avoid illogical, high maintenance, water hogging scraps of lawn.

What Small Changes Can You Make Now? Rip Your Strip

How Do Waterwise Landscapes make a neighborhood look?

Typical Suburban Street View Waterwise Suburban Street View

8215 South 1300 WestWest Jordan, Utah

Want to Learn More?• FREE Waterwise

Landscaping classes throughout the season

• FREE Demonstration Gardens

• EXPERT advice • Education Center