Due to an ongoing drought, the City of Calgary has begun cutting the amount of water it uses to maintain its many parks and amenities. Even though there has been a tiny bit of recent moisture, the city is definitely showing the obvious signs of lack of moisture. It has been an “abnormally dry” 2023 for Alberta thus far, reports Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Calgary only received a tad more than a third of its typical precipitation levels through the spring, and summer has been very similar so far. We only saw 66 per cent of our usual June rainfall this year, and even less in July.
As such, last week the City of Calgary announced it had moved its drought monitoring dial from “normal” to “dry” conditions in an effort to curtail what they predict will be rising water demands combined with the lower-than-usual levels of the Bow and Elbow Rivers due to the low snowpacks and early snowmelt in the Bow and Elbow River Basins. Although upstream reservoirs remain low, the Glenmore Reservoir is being held at full supply level, for the time being.
In order to help keep the Glenmore Reservoir where it should be, City crews are reducing the number of times they water their flowers, green spaces, and sports fields. They are also moderating flow from decorative fountains and cutting back on watering newly planted trees and grass. If Calgarians happen to notice their favourite green space is looking slightly yellow, this is the reason why, and the City is encouraging everyone else to do the same.
How can Calgarians help?
Although there are currently no mandatory water restrictions in effect, Calgarians are always encouraged to conserve water during dry conditions.
Not surprisingly, water usage in Calgary rises dramatically in the summer due to outdoor watering. Communities often use 50% more water than during the winter months, and this can place great strain on the city’s rivers and water treatment centres. Some quick and easy ways to help keep Calgary’s water supply healthy are:
- Water less. In general, with effective watering, once a week should be enough.
- Water early in the morning – before 7 a.m. – or later in the evening when it has cooled off. This helps keep water from evaporating before it has had the time to soak in.
- Above-ground sprinklers can be practically hopeless for delivering the right amount of moisture to your lawn and garden. Soaker hoses are far more efficient, as is drip irrigation. Watering by hand is also better than most sprinklers.
- Leave your grass longer. Grass at two to three inches high is able to shade itself properly and retain moisture.
- Topping up your mulch helps reduce evaporation and is a great idea before fall sets in.
- Purchase a rain barrel to capture rainwater, which can then be used in your garden. Plus, plants love rainwater for its high ozone content.
Underground irrigation is the long-term solution
To save on water for the long run, and also keep your property looking great, installing underground irrigation is the very best long-term solution. Putting in underground sprinklers is one of our favourite jobs here at Mirage Landscaping, as we know how much our clients end up enjoying their systems and the benefits they provide to both your landscaping’s needs and your ultimate financial bottom line.
We carefully zone out our underground irrigation systems according to what you have planted and where. Taller sprinklers are able to deliver water over shrubs and perennials to ensure garden beds are fully hydrated all the way through. Shorter sprinklers are better for lawn areas, as they spray directly over your grass to quickly send more water where it needs to go. Our sprinkler systems are installed with sophisticated, programmable control units that can be set to go off at specific times so you don’t even need to think about watering. Another available money-saving feature of automated sprinklers are rain sensors that will turn off your system if enough natural moisture has fallen.
We will always be there for you and your underground irrigation system
If you ever have any issues with your sprinklers, we at Mirage will be there for you immediately. Even better, you can rely on us to perform your annual fall blow-out, which is essential for ensuring your system is not damaged during the cold winter months. Failing to perform this yearly maintenance can lead to big problems in the spring.
If you have been convinced of the benefits of an underground irrigation installation, which saves time and money while also improving the health of lawns and gardens, Mirage Landscaping has the expertise to install your system and the equipment to get the job done right. Nothing guarantees the future of your property quite like an underground sprinkler system that delivers consistent, accurate watering. Contact us for a quick and easy quote.
