Albuquerque area had a great winter season with 150% above normal precipitation for the season but as the days get warmer it is time to follow the recommended watering guidelines for spring season. Remember If it has rained more than 1/2 inch you can skip your watering that week.
Below are our Spring Watering Recommendations.
As irrigation season ramps up, we sat down with the Water Authority’s irrigation specialist to ask a few questions about the utility’s new FREE Efficient Irrigation Consultations.
Why is the Water Authority offering this service?
How does a typical consultation go?
Why should I sign up for a FREE Efficient Irrigation Consultation?
How do I request this service?
Visit our Irrigation Efficiency Rebate page to see all our rebates.
In order to tackle inefficient irrigation practices that result in wasted water, and help customers identify malfunctions in their irrigation systems, The Water Authority (WA) recently updated the Water Waste Reduction Ordinance and will be implementing it during the 2019 irrigation season.
The goal of the Ordinance is to eliminate water waste in our service area by providing education and incentives to our customers. Of course, this goal is much like the goal of eliminating all speeding cars from local roads, so the ordinance cannot ensure total elimination of water waste. Instead, water use compliance activities serve as an effective educational tool to change customer behavior by reducing water waste.
Over the course of the 20-year history of the Ordinance, the Water Authority has identified that 90% of water waste violations issued came as a result of runoff due to overspray, leaks, malfunctions and inefficient timer scheduling practices.
In order to address these the WA is offering Free Efficient Irrigation Consultations to customers who receive a water waste notice. The WA will come to the customers property, evaluate their irrigation system and teach them how to avoid future water waste. Customers have 15 days to schedule a free consultation after receiving the notice
| Meter size | 1st Fee | 2nd Fee | 3rd Fee |
| < 1.5” | $20 | $50 | $100 |
| < 4” | $100 | $250 | $500 |
| < 8” | $250 | $500 | $1,000 |
Effective April 1, 2019, Water Conservation Specialists from the Water Authority will be identifying properties that may benefit from the free services that the WA offers. Property owners will be notified of any potential water waste issues that have been reported by the community or staff. As a result, the customer will receive a warning notice and an opportunity to request a Free Efficient Irrigation Consultation. Failure to correct any issues may result in a violation. If a customer receives a violation, they have 15 days to schedule a FREE Consultation.
Exposure: Full Sun
Water: Rainwater
Mature Size: (H x W): 10’ x 10’
Blooming Season: Spring
Flower Color: Yellow
Region: All parts of the Greater Albuquerque area except the East Mountains
A member of the pea family, the Whitethorn Acacia is long-lived and able to survive only on rainwater in the Albuquerque area. It becomes either a large shrub or small tree. Naturally occurring on rocky slopes and drainage washes from Arizona to Texas at elevations from 1,500 to 6,000 feet, Whitethorn Acacia produces fragrant, yellow puffball flowers from April through June that develop into 2”-5” long capsules with clear constrictions between the beans (thus the Latin name). Branches range from dark grey to reddish-brown, with a distinctive zigzag shape and deciduous, fern-like foliage. Whitethorn Acacia is hardy to -10 degrees.
Site this plant with an understanding of mature size, and a realization that pruning will require interaction with numerous slender, white spines. With diligence, it can be pruned into a small tree that casts filtered shade. Well-adapted to life in an arid location, the Whitethorn Acacia will not produce leaves or flowers during drought. It’s a great plant for wildlife, as the flowers attract butterflies and bees and the seed pods are favored by quail.
This versatile plant, whether trained as a small tree or allowed to grow naturally as part of a low-maintenance buffer, asks for little and gives much. Select it for any of its numerous positive qualities, including its showy flowers, whimsical form, and excellent drought tolerance.
There is no need to water for the first two weeks in the month of March. The greater Albuquerque area received enough precipitation in the month of February via rain and snow to meet our plants’ water needs!
Below are our Spring Watering Recommendations but there is no need to water this month due to the amount of precipitation the area has received.
Remember to mark your calendar on the day of the last big rainstorm, then make a note to review the winter water recommendation chart on the same date of the next month. Keeping track of precipitation will help you decide whether you need to water during the spring months.