WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM

Abstract

Lincoln, Nebraska is probably ahead of other major municipalities in the Mid-west to initiate water awareness and conservation programs. The average commercial, industrial, or residential water user has a poor concept as to the amount of water their irrigation system applies or water application uniformity. The average Christiansen Uniformity Coefficients (UCC) was 67, with 83% of the UCC values below 80. Almost 80% of the scheduling coefficients were two or greater, meaning that a large portion of landscape water waste from irrigation is hidden from the consumer. An estimate of the potential reduction in water use if the prescribed water conservation program was followed indicated a reduction in water use of 50%. This estimate is drawn from weather station ETp estimates, lysimeter, and soil water estimates. Crop coefficient (Kc) values which take into consideration the plant type were initially at 0.9. Accuracy of this estimate will be noted. Data from the above sources will be presented as well as irrigation uniformity. The impact of “Horace's Water O' Meter” an outgrowth of these findings on landscape water use in Lincoln is discussed.