HOA Irrigation Water System Overview
HOA Water
- The irrigation water is considered an extra benefit to the HOA, but there is no guarantee of water.
- Learn details about the water at Owl Lake Estates (water notice sent to homeowners in 2020)
- The HOA irrigation system is a supplemental system to help assist homeowners when resources are available.
- Homeowners can also water their landscape using their Firestone Town tap/water system, but sometime it can be cost prohibitive.
- If homeowners choose to water with both town water and irrigation water, a special type of backflow assembly and yearly testing is required.
Water Quality
The irrigation water is non-potable water. It's is not filtered or cleaned.
Owned vs Leased Water
The HOA currently owns some shares of water and purchases additional leased to meet the demand of the neighborhood when available.
- 11 Shares of New Coal Ridge Ditch (River water)
-
65 Shares of Panama Class B, which equals to 26 Class A (65x.3995 conversion) of storage shares
Class B Shares AF Conversion to A Shares Total AF 12" Storage 65 0.3995 25.9675 311.61 (2018) - The HOA Leases or rents 30-50 shares on average of storage water each year (when available)
Mandatory RPD Backflows and Backflow Testing
Homeowners with dual systems (connected to town potable water and irrigation water) must have a RPD backflow installed and have a certified backflow test every year. This is mandated by the town of Firestone. The HOA schedules these yearly tests and reports are sent to the town of Firestone and homeowners. The HOA will then bill the homeowners for the backflow test and any repairs needed.
General Watering Guidelines
- Check your sprinkler system program start times and lengths. Check programs A, B, C, and D to make sure everything is correct.
- Only run irrigation systems between ~5:00 PM to ~11:00 AM daily
- Please do not water more than 15-25 minutes per zone, per day max! (The CSU extension recommendation for Colorado lawns is 1-1.5 inches per week)
- Routine fertilizing plays a significant role in keeping a healthy lawn
- Keep grass taller, but only remove the upper ½” of grass with each mowing, and mow often.
- Aerate to allow air and water to penetrate the soil. Hard or compacted soil causes watering to run off
- Turn off your system when it is windy or raining(for those who don’t have sensors)
What is considered in-efficient or abuse of the irrigation system?
- Flood irrigating (open faucets or hoses, letting water run freely all day or extended period of time)
- Watering during the heat of the day (between 11:00 AM and 5 PM)
- 24/7 watering (watering all day and night)
- Water extensively (We see homeowners running their zones for upwards of 45 mins to 1 hr per zone multiple times per day)
- Multiple watering (running twice, during the evening and mornings at full zone times)
- Inefficient watering also increases our pump electric bill and decreases the lifetime of our pump
HOA Water Committee & Emergency Contacts
- Sean Flagg (chair) - 3.619.4455
- Doug Sharp 7.373-1515
- Garrett Bragalone - 3.678.7677
Contact
Sean Flagg (chair)
6755 Owl Lake Drive
3.619.4455
Other resources
- Boulder White Rock and Ditch Company