When the going gets tough, the tough get creative. It worked for growers at Rosedale Community Garden. Not content to let the drought dry up their piece of paradise, the group gathered together to battle parched conditions threatening the gardens. 

In the fall of 2002, 30 Rosedale gardeners held a market on Logan Street outside their garden gates. Selling produce, flowers and baked goods, they raised nearly $800 in just five hours. 

The proceeds were earmarked for water conservation efforts. Specifically, the group purchased 60 drip hoses and 50 bales of straw (for use as mulch) which gardeners purchased for half the retail price. 

In addition, Rosedale has implemented mandatory water conservation workshops for all gardeners, from first-timers to veteran growers. 

"The emphasis is on communication, interaction and sharing what works in water conservation," explains garden leader, Dave Conant. 

Water Watch 2007
At the end of 2006, Denver’s Board of Water Commissioners approved a change to the water rate structure in an effort to send a strong water conservation message to its customers. This includes many DUG community gardens billed at single family residential (SFR) rates. Considering multiple alternatives, they chose an alternative, which combines a small fixed service charge with a new “four block” structure for water consumption. The new structure increases the cost rate for water between “block 1” and “block 4” at a 4:1 rate steepness. As gardens use water during each billing cycle and cross over into the next usage block, the water begins costing more per thousand gallons, as follows:

Block	gallons	cost rate / 1,000 gallons
Fixed Service Charge:	–	$5.98
Block 1	0   – 22,000	$2.23
Block 2	22   – 60,000	$4.46
Block 3	60 – 80,000	$6.69
Block 4	+ 80,000	$8.92

We ran several gardens through this new cost structure using 2006 usage volumes and determined that most gardens would see at least a 25% increase in their bills, while large gardens would be penalized at even higher percentage increases.

Fortunately, on February 14, 2007 the Board approved a new rate class that will reduce the current cost of water for irrigation-only accounts, currently billed at SFR rates. This new rate will mitigate much of the financial impact of the highest price block for the DUG gardens serviced by Denver Water.

DUG is currently in discussions with Denver Water to complete their requirements to ensure gardens are included into this new irrigation class. The requirements include a water audit of garden irrigation systems, and confirmation of garden perimeters on aerial photographs. We plan to begin this process with the largest gardens first, and then work our way through to the smallest gardens, in order to minimize the most severe financial impacts.

Until Denver Water actually makes the change in class for each garden, the new SFR rates will apply. Regardless, DUG strongly encourages all gardens and gardeners to employ all water conservation restrictions and techniques outlined in garden leader handbooks. We expect community gardeners to continue to set an example of careful stewardship of this scarce resource. It is DUG’s expectation that gardeners employ the same water conservation techniques used during the drought.

Given the natural ecologically of Denver, water conservation just makes sense.

Download Entire DUG Drought Guide Here