Management of Existing Landscapes

The management of existing landscape is an important municipal water conservation effort given the large amount of potable water used for urban landscape irrigation.  Landscape management includes the integration and assessment of numerous factors including:

  • Site considerations
  • Soil conditions
  • Plant material selection
  • Limit use of turf (not too much)
  • Hydrozoning (grouping plants with similar irrigation needs)
  • Efficient irrigation
  • Mulch and more mulch
  • Other design considerations

The CWW Guidebook of Best Practices presents BP 9 for Water Efficient Design, Installation and Maintenance Practices for New and Existing Landscapes.

Another key resource for landscape management in Colorado is the Green Industries of Colorado "GreenCo BMP Manual for the Conservation and Protection of Water Resources in Colorado - Moving Towards Sustainability."

Other resources of interest contained within the BMP Tool Box related to the management of landscapes (existing and new) includes customer irrigation audits, and policies for landscape water budgets, new landscape design, installation and maintenance, and rules and regulations for landscape design and installation and cerification of landscape professionals.