City of Idaho Falls encourages water conservation this summer

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - The City of Idaho Falls is urging residents to reduce water usage this summer in a press release, emphasizing the city's efforts to preserve over 30 million gallons of water this year.

"Eastern Idaho is experiencing drought conditions this year, making water conservation especially important," the release said. "By working together and taking simple steps to reduce water use, the city and its residents can help conserve this valuable resource while maintaining the services, landscapes and quality of life that make Idaho Falls a great place to live."

"Water is one of our community's most valuable resources, and conserving it is something we can all contribute to," said Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw. "The city is taking steps to reduce water use across our operations, and we encourage residents to join us. Small actions taken throughout our community can make a meaningful difference."

The city cited a variety of conservation measures they will implement across their operations to reduce water use and improve irrigation efficiency. They estimate this will save about 30 million gallons this year. These efforts include:

• Adjusting irrigation schedules to prevent overwatering.
• Conducting regular inspections to identify leaks and broken sprinkler heads.
• Replacing aging irrigation controllers as needed.
• Keeping the Broadway Plaza and Tautphaus Park fountains turned off for the season.
• Identifying green spaces within the city that can be converted from turf to more waterwise landscape design.

“Many of the largest water savings come from simple measures such as repairing leaks, adjusting irrigation schedules and avoiding overwatering,” said Water Superintendent David Richards. "When those actions are taken across the community, the impact can be significant."

The press release says the city will share water conservation information, practical tips, and educational resources through its website and social media channels throughout the summer. They are also encouraging residents to share their own water-saving practices and ideas on social media as the community works together to conserve this valuable resource.