The Denver Water Department has confirmed that Denver Public Schools saved 80 million gallons of water during the months of June and July, putting the district far ahead of schedule toward its goal of reducing overall water consumption by 20 percent during 2003.

During June and July 2003, the district used 44,904,000 gallons of water. That consumption rate represented a 64.1 percent reduction in the amount of water the district used in 2001 during the same two months. That year, the district used 124,927,000 gallons of water over that two-month stretch.

The district has set a goal of reducing water use by 20 percent for the entire year; for that two-month period the goal was to use no more than 99,942,000 gallons of water.

The two-month water savings, achieved during two hot months, would fill Invesco Field at Mile High to a depth of 29.7 feet or supply water for one month to 8,800 households (based on the Denver Water Department’s average use of 9,000 gallons per household).

“Your 64.1 percent reduction is awesome,” said Elizabeth Gardener, Manager of Water Conservation for Denver Water. “I hope this helps in your planning for the future. Thanks for working so diligently on this over the last many months. We are very, very grateful."
 
Rusty Deane, Director of Maintenance and Operations for the district, said the savings were a direct result of reducing irrigation of playing fields and outdoor grounds, vehicle washing restrictions, and a more conscientious attitude among administrators, principals, teachers, students and support staff. Deane said an “aggressive internal PR campaign” helped turn the attitude around.

But the main strategy was reducing the amount of water used to keep lawns and turf thriving. Deane said all landscaped property was analyzed and prioritized. Some fields were targeted for heavy water use, but most fields were given only limited water so the grass would go dormant but not die. Some fields were closed, and access to them was limited. Finally, water use was controlled centrally (instead of at each school) and rain sensors were installed at every field that has an irrigation system.

Despite a dramatic reduction in irrigation, Deane said the athletic turf is in generally good condition. Friendly, wet weather patterns this summer helped, Deane added.

“We have established a new attitude around water conservation in the district,” said Deane, “and it’s important to continue with this approach in cold months and hot months, when it’s raining heavily or when it’s not.”

For more information, please contact the DPS Public Information Office at 720-423-3414.