Irrigation Water

Irrigation water is all water used outside the condominium to water lawns and gardens in the Association’s common area (excluding water from the outside hose spigots). Irrigation water use is controlled by the Association through our landscape contractor and is metered and billed separately from residential water.

Payment

Currently homeowners pay all irrigation water bills indirectly through monthly dues. In 2021 irrigation water bills totaled about $38,000. Actual use varies significantly by season.

Twenty-one irrigation water meters measure water in associated irrigation zones. Water is dispersed through sprinklers and drip lines at scheduled times set by timers located throughout the common area.  (There are separate meters for residential water.) Meters are read every two months and bills are paid accordingly.

Cost

Irrigation costs are high due largely to the abundance of grass in the common area along with our semi-arid climate including periodic droughts.

Impact on budget

The high allocation for water in each budget is detrimental to adequate funding for other needs of the Association. Costs increase every year to maintain and repair the Association grounds, buildings, and infrastructure, and to provide services. These include contractual costs such as our landscape contract and insurance, volatile, non-contractual costs like plumbing repairs, and large scale maintenance projects like roof replacement that are paid from our reserve account. 

The Board voted to implement a fair and equitable way to increase funding to meet our common area needs. Please see the Submetering & Xeriscaping section for ways to achieve that goal.