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Scott Varner: Albuquerque needs to do better job of teaching conservation

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What happened to conservation in 2007?

Was the increase in water usage due to a perception that there is no longer an urgent need for conservation?

The approach City Hall has used for years - educate, train, advise, reward - was a very user-friendly approach. However, for some reason this approach appears to have lost some effectiveness in 2007. Was no news good news? Apparently not, when it comes to water. I believe the water use increase was bigger than any weather story.

With growth being so vigorously sought in Albuquerque, is the up-1-billion-gallons in water use a mere bump, or was it a clear sign that there are long-term problems and issues and that perhaps the city is not doing enough informing, educating and training?

Where is the marketing of conservation? I believe there has been a mixed message and a general relaxation in the conservation message. What could be done now?

Require sub-metering. Sub-metering has been discussed for years, but I believe it was the mayor who pulled back a proposed ordinance about five years ago, prior to formation of the new city-county water authority, that would have required all new apartments to be sub-metered. Studies have shown a likely decrease of about 15 percent in water use when people know how much they use.

Which is more important: current growth, support of the real-estate lobby and the money it brings now, or future availability of water?

How can the mayor and others continue to talk about this finite, precious resource and at the same time be seen as promoting basically uncontrolled growth and not supporting basic changes that assure additional conservation? Why has it taken so long to move on this issue?

I understand the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Water Authority and the City Council will soon propose sub-metering again. I certainly hope so.

Revise rates. Rate structures are complex, but Albuquerque's was described in a reputable 2006 study - "Water in the Urban Southwest," by Western Resource Advocates - as one that "does not send a strong conservation message." If we were really serious, wouldn't there be a cost spike soon after an overuse level was reached? Currently there is no difference in cost per unit for using 25,000 gallons or 80,000 gallons.

In contrast, Tucson has a rate that triples cost per unit at the 11,000 gallon level and that at 34,000 the rate is about seven times higher. This sends a clear conservation message.

Publicize and penalize gross overuse. Focus attention on top overusers. Print names and include data on excessive use. Enforce stiff penalties if use is a certain percentage over that level. If users refuse to make a serious effort to reduce, then penalize.

According to irrigation specialists, there are apartment complexes massively overusing, a church with 30,000 square feet of overwatered turf, a school with its own well - but they indicate that well water doesn't count.

I know of homeowners' associations that think it is their right to remain as green as they want. When you divide the water bill by 500 or 1,500, water use seems to be minimized. Some associations have tried to prevent even subjecting themselves to xeriscaping criteria, but thanks to an ordinance by City Councilor Martin Heinrich, they are.

Real estate values go up with conservation now, so we should quit listening to those advocating for grass for value. It no longer applies anywhere in the country - not even in Georgia or Florida.

Market conservation. The city of Albuquerque's marketing has been invisible. Where are the radio, press, brochures and public service announcements? Don't blame the press for the lack of press. Why is City Hall paying people $10 an hour to learn about conservation? Do they really listen or just attend for the $20 off their water bills?

Institute major campaigns at critical times - like this fall. When everything is trying to go dormant, there is great overuse.

Publicize the coming of La Ni¤a and what it means. Relate climate change forecasts to possible changing weather patters in New Mexico. Remember that many newcomers to Albuquerque really don't understand the desert. Become visible again!

Require central control systems. Any large user with more than 20 separate controllers must install and maintain a central system that automatically shuts down with valve malfunction, rain or high wind.

Also require removal of all turf in existing narrow areas with bubblers for trees.

If the city does not or cannot do much more, how will conservation continue, as more and more people move into this area from wetter climates? San Juan-Chama water cannot be used unless Albuquerque keeps its per capita per day water use under 175 and achieves a 150 rate by 2014.

With continued growth, unless conservation education is accelerated, I don't see how this will be achieved.

The citizens of Albuquerque may need to assume a greater role in conservation. If you really want to get involved and learn, go to the Web at xeriscapenm.com and register for the 13th Water Conservation/Xeriscaping Conference, Feb. 21-22, and mark your calendar for the open-to-the public expo on Feb. 23-24 at the Expo NM building at the State Fairgrounds, with free seminars all day both days and 200 exhibits.

We all need to conserve water here in the desert. It's our life, our future and our responsibility.

Varner is executive director of the Xeriscape Council of New Mexico, based in Albuquerque.