The Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) is asking customers to voluntarily conserve water by participating in scheduled outdoor watering from April 1 – September 30. CRRUA provides water and wastewater services to Sunland Park and Santa Teresa, NM.

“Maintaining an adequate water supply is essential during the hottest season when water usage typically increases,” said CRRUA Executive Director Juan Crosby.

Crosby said this voluntary outdoor watering schedule will help inform customers about water conservation while CRRUA evaluates the potential of enacting a mandatory water conservation ordinance similar to those in other communities.

The voluntary schedule calls for all CRRUA customers, residential and commercial, to water before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. on the following days:

• Mondays, no outdoor watering.
• Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays for even-numbered addresses (ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8).
• Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays for odd-numbered addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9).

The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer provides the following helpful information:

Outdoor Water Conservation Tips

• Don’t overwater—and water only when plants need it. During the hot summer months, landscaping can account for more than half of a household’s total water use!

• Water during the early morning or late evening. Avoid watering on windy days to reduce water lost to evaporation.

• Avoid watering the sidewalk and driveway. Position sprinklers so that the water lands only on the landscaped area.

• Place a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Mulching helps reduce evaporation and keeps the soil moist.

• Convert your lawn to a less-thirsty native grass such as blue grama or buffalograss. 

• Install a water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs and flowers. Use a low-profile, large-drop sprinkler system to increase irrigation efficiency.

• Adjust your automatic irrigation controller every month. Landscapes don’t need as much water in September as they do in June.

• Check your irrigation system often. Walk through the yard and fix or replace leaky water lines, broken sprinkler heads and faulty drip emitters.

• When washing your car, use a shut-off nozzle to keep the hose from running needlessly.

• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.