Water is a precious and scarce commodity in Santa Fe. The city's Sangre de Cristo Water Co., 801 W. San Mateo Road, 954-7199, provides free water-conservation classes designed to reduce home water use and lower water bills. It also offers the following suggestions for further conservation:
Indoors:
• Check faucets and pipes for leaks.
• Flush only when necessary.
• Install water-saving showerheads (flow restrictors).
• Turn off the water when shaving and brushing your teeth.
• Run your dishwasher only when it's fully loaded.
• Don't leave rinse water running when washing dishes by hand.
Santa Fe has a water conservation ordinance, mandated by the City Council, which governs outdoor watering. This ordinance outlines a watering schedule for every address. These rules and regulations change. To get updated information on when you can water, call 954-7199.
To report water violations, call 954-7115.
Follow these guidelines in the garden:
• Water infrequently (2-3 times per week, or less if ordered by drought restrictions).
• Plant drought-resistant trees and plants. See the xeriscape-plant list at the water company. And check with your local nursery for the best kinds of plants to use in Santa Fe.
• Plant in pots.
• Group plants with similar watering requirements.
• Cover the soil surface with 2 to 3 inches of mulch to minimize evaporation.
• Spike or aerate lawns.
• Don't be a "gutter flooder." Turn off sprinklers before water runs away. The city waste-water department will issue fines of up to $500 for street watering. v
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