Pumping 5 Year Moving AverageAnnual Pumping

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Summer 2015

Water Mattersin the City of Moscow

www.ci.moscow.id.us

City of Moscow206 East Third StreetP.O. Box 9203Moscow, Idaho 83843

PresortedStandard

U.S. PostagePAID

Moscow IDPermit No. 215

A production of the City of Moscow and Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute. Printed on recycled paper, minimum 30% post-consumer content.

Moscow students have done a fantastic job of learning the importance of conservation.The City of Moscow contracts the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) to teach youth about our aquifers and water conservation. The lessons reach over 990 students each school year through 63 hands-on classroom visits at 10 schools. Each lesson is designed to not only be fun and impactful, but also to address Idaho State Science Standards and National Common Core Standards. We focus on kindergarden, second, fifth, sixth, ninth and tenth grades to provide a consistent, well rounded water conservation education message.

Water for Everyone: With the help of Cashew the Chipmunk (a stuffed animal puppet), 186 kindergarten students learned that all living things need water to survive; water is a precious resource that we must use wisely. Students learn through activities, songs and handouts that they can share with families. The Incredible Drop: 175 second grade students “became” water droplets and discovered where water is stored on our planet as they travel through the water cycle. We also learned that our water in Moscow comes from an “underground rock sponge” called an aquifer.The Water Web of Life: 194 fifth grade students collaborated to illustrate the water web of life. Students understand how water is important to all of life, whether it is under the ground or on the surface of the earth, and the role it plays in the health of our local ecosystem. Preserving and conserving this resource is key to maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Natural Filters: 141 sixth grade students created models to show how water infiltrates the ground, and how water can be cleaned through natural filters. This sets the stage to discuss how water is a finite resource that can be cared for in many ways.Aquifer Investigations: 207 ninth grade students participated in a 2-day lesson to gain further insight on what we know about our local aquifers and ideas on how to conserve and take care of this limited resource.Water Problem Solving: 91 tenth grade students toured Moscow’s Water Department and Treatment Facility and then put on different community “hats” to brainstorm efficient and innovative ways to use water wisely.

1. In Moscow, we get our water from...a. one aquifer: the Grande Wanapumb. two aquifers: The Grande Ronde and the Wanapumc. one aquifer: The Grande Rhoned. two aquifers: The Grande Wanapum and the Ronde

A new element was added to the education program to assess the impact that these conservation lessons were having on students’ local water knowledge. Moscow High School 9th grade students took a brief before and after survey to track noticeable changes in water awareness! This will take place in all classrooms for the 2015/2016 school year.

2. Overall, Moscow’s water is...a. staying the sameb. decreasingc. increasing

3. What is the City doing to conserve water?a. nothingb. providing free water-saving devices to the publicc. sponsoring water conservation classes in Moscow’s schoolsd. penalizing households that take more than 10 showers per daye. b and cf. b and d

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"Personally,  I  think  it  is  important  to  save  water  in  Moscow."    

Student  Opinions  Before  and  A7er  Lessons  

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Early Irrigation Season Increases Water DemandsIn 2014 the City of Moscow pumped 864 million gallons, which raised the 5-year average to 836 million gallons a year. Notice the increase in the average water pumping since 2012. Due to the early irrigation season this year, nation wide warming trends and decreased water availability, it is important that we conserve this precious resource. A report done by the National Drought Mitigation Center, stating that by the end of May this year, 100% of Idaho was officially considered to be in a drought or experiencing pre-drought conditions. This decrease in water availability is in addition to our already declining aquifer levels. Water uncertainty is necessitating our conscious use and conservation of water.

Know Your Code:• Watering with

sprinklers is allowed between 6pm - 10am.

• Drip and soaker hoses are allowed anytime.

• Call 883-7114 with questions or to report violators.

• Water efficient devices, plant lists and irrigation system information are available at 201 N. Main.

• Water deeply and less often during late evening or early morning.

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"Personally,  I  think  it  is  important  to  save  water  in  Moscow."    

Student  Opinions  Before  and  A7er  Lessons  

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"Personally,  I  think  it  is  important  to  save  water  in  Moscow."    

Student  Opinions  Before  and  A7er  Lessons  

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Response  Op3ons  

"Personally,  I  think  it  is  important  to  save  water  in  Moscow."    

Student  Opinions  Before  and  A7er  Lessons  

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"Personally,  I  think  it  is  important  to  save  water  in  Moscow."    

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“Personally, I think it is important to save water in Moscow”

See three questions to left

Year

Conservation Report Card

The Lessons

Early Irrigation Season - Waterwise Landscapes to the Rescue!Our Community is Leading the WayTake a look at these charming, local examples of Wisescape designs. Below you can see ways to reduce water use, as well as “Do It Yourself” (DIY) ideas to spruce up your garden or add to a new design. New designs with ground covers, soil enhancements, mulches, raised beds, paths, rain catchment systems and appropriate plants are a great addition in a variety of home and business settings. From neighborhood yards to commercial business sites, there are plenty of examples of how to conserve water through Wisescaping!

Small Space, Big Possibilities! Photo (Top Left): Palouse OculariumThe front yard demonstrates the beauty of ground covers that don’t require much work or water. Ground covers are a great way to crowd out weeds and cover uneven terrain. Notice the rocks! No water needed.Plants: Kinnikinnick and Sagebrush.Sun GardenPhoto (Top Right): Pam Steele Planting areas between walkways can provide diverse habitat for butterflies, bees and birds. This is an example of a micro-graden space, illustrating you don’t need much space to create a habitat inviting to many walks of life.Plants: Russian Sage and Rose.

Natives! Photo (Above): Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse (UU Church) - Notice the lovely permeable walking path next to their sunny raised bed garden space. This bed holds their native plant demonstration garden and is a new addition to the Wisescape.Plants: Blanket flower, Idaho Fescue and Prairie SmokeDIY: Things to consider... Permeable paths can be created out of bricks, gravel or a plantable grid system. The material must allow for air and water to penetrate to the plants and spacing of materials can help to decrease compaction. For raised bed designs, consider using recycled materials such as pallets, bricks or stones.

Open Spaces Photo:(Top Left) 1912 Center garden - highlights drought tolerant plants that flourish with space and mulch. Notice the different texture from the lupin (Lupinus sp.), dianthus (Dianthus sp.) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Rose Garden Photo:(Center) Fairfield Inn and Suites - enhances lasting moisture and minimal weeds by providing mulch throughout the garden spaces. Vertical Garden Photo: (Top Right) Moscow Building Supply - highlights the use of vertical space with their focus on grasses in this garden. Plants: Karl Foerster Grass, Daylily.DIY: Things to consider... color and shape provide texture while mulch should be 3’’ - 4’’ for best results. Grasses add a vertical feature that keeps any area interesting. These accents can be installed to a new or existing garden space.

Catching Rain Photo (Above): UU Church - This is a close up of one of their shade, drought-tolerant beds. Visitors are welcome! Notice the rain barrel catchment system elegantly nestled in their water-wise shrubs allowing for easy, smart water use three seasons out of the year. Use more than one for better storage capacity!Plants: Vinca, Peony and Mint DIY: Things to consider... rain catchment systems provide a water source that optimizes water use. 50 gallon drums, old wine barrels or other containers can collect and off-set water use.

Our Community is Saving Water with

Wisescapes! Our residents are making a difference and sharing their Wisescape designs with you. See the display at the Water Department, the Latah County Fair this fall and the Moscow Food Co-op next spring.

Residential: Karl EnglundLibby JacksonDavid and Jan Jerusalem Michael and Eugenia MoodyVictoria SeeverPam SteeleSandra StoopsNaomi Taus

Public Facilities: 1912 Center Moscow Intermodal Transit Center

Private Facilities: Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse

Commercial: Fairfield Inn and SuitesMoscow Building SupplyPalouse Ocularium

DIY: Things to consider... deeper, longer watering is optimized with the use of mulch, compost and efficient irrigation. Rock boarders, ground covers and perennials require minimal water while providing a very welcoming landscape. A diverse habitat of blooms invite pollinators!

Cool Resting Place Photo (Left): Moscow Intermodal Transit Center - This tree is a center-piece surrounded by shrubs and ground covers. Consider using an existing tree in your yard and plan a shade garden underneath, keeping weeds and maintenance to a minimum.Plants: Creeping Juniper, Mugo Pine

Photo (Above): Solomon’s Seal This plant is a hardy native, requires no dead-heading and provides such interesting visual architectural structure. It requires shade while growing. Consider adding this gem to your garden!

Sedum Galore! Photo (Left): Sandra Stoops - shows off sedum, a low-water use plant that thrives in warm, dry areas. There are many species you can experiment with to create a vibrant sedum space.

Shade GardenPhoto (Left): David and Jan Jerusalem - Consider using rock bed edging to keep mulch in and to allow for soil amendments and adding height to your Wisescape.Plants: Hosta and Columbine.

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