Non-Potable Irrigation

Timeline:

• 2010: non-potable master plan 
• 2015: 
• 2020: well drilling and infrastructure
• 2021: add a reservoir to the non-potable plan
• 2022: conversion of parks to non-potable
• 2023+: expand the delivery system to add more parks

In the last few years, the Town of Firestone has recognized 8% (60 million gallons) of water consumed annually is on Town parks and open space.  In an effort to reduce the overall consumption of parks and open space, the Town has established an Irrigation Division with technicians who have maximized our irrigation systems' efficiencies.  The Irrigation Division efforts have included the installation of master valves that monitor water flow being delivered to the parks.  Tracking the flow can help identify leaks and malfunctioning or broken conditions in the irrigation system, which results in water savings.   The replacement of older mismatch equipment improves the efficiency of the irrigation system.  Continued use of a central irrigation control system allows for real-time adjustments to water cycles during weather events or in cases of malfunctioning equipment. The efforts made by the Irrigation Division of the last few years have resulted in an overall annual savings of 2% (20 million gallons) of the total water consumed in Firestone.  

The next step is to transition from a potable source to a non-potable supply. There is a long-term cost savings for the Town once this occurs; the Town will no longer have to pay monthly treatment and delivery costs for the water needed to irrigate parks and open spaces.  Additionally, the plants and vegetation benefit by using non-potable water because there is a higher nutrient value to the local/native water and hasn't been through the treatment facility for consumer consumption.  

The first step in starting this transition was to purchase Firestone Reservoir #1, which will serve as storage for non-potable water, in conjunction with augmentation water storage.