Title
Reducing Water Use Through Behavior Changes in Residential Landscaping Practices in Arid Parts of Idaho
Document Type
Student Presentation
Presentation Date
4-15-2013
Faculty Sponsor
Scott Lowe
Abstract
Water use is of particular concern in Idaho given its predominantly dry continental climate and reliance on irrigation and groundwater for cultivation of mainstream landscaping features. While certain water-wise landscaping methods such as xeriscaping have grown in popularity, adoption of such methods has been undertaken only by a small minority of users. This study, sponsored by the Department of Environmental Quality, focuses on a neighborhood in the city of Parma located in southwest Idaho. Using the landscape coefficient method (LCM) from the University of California Agriculture Extension and the reference evapotranspiration rates for Parma, we calculate, the total amount of water being used in gallons per month for the upkeep of landscaping area, for the months of July and August in a residential neighborhood. We calculate the total volume of water used and determine how much water could be saved by using drought tolerant plants on 10% of the study sites.