From David Schaller - a suburban Denver development heralded a decade ago as "a symbol of suburban sprawl done wrong" is the new community of Sterling Ranch which intends to reduce radically the amount of outside lawns permissible in the development.
It is part of an overall water efficiency strategy that includes slightly sunken yards for water catchment, plus an array of in-home water efficiency technologies and devices. "We'll use grass as a throw rug instead of a carpet," says a principal on the development team.
The rest of the yards will be planted in drought tolerant trees and shrubs. All athletic fields will be artificial turf. "You abuse exterior water use, we'll warn you, fine you, and then we'll shut your water off," said Jack Hoagland, another development partner.
Developers of the new community, Sterling Ranch, say they can get by with supplying just 91,000 gallons a year -- and they expect homeowners will use just 72,000.
That bold bet is raising both hopes and some fears.
"If it turns out that it's harder to change consumer behavior than they anticipate, now all of a sudden we're looking at a water shortage," says Steve Koster, the county planner in charge of Sterling Ranch.
Permits are still pending but plans envision 12,000 homes, many priced at about $350,000, aimed at young families and empty nesters. All homes will use low-flow toilets, faucets and showers, which cut water use on average 20% to 30%. The big savings, however, will be outdoors.
Read more at Wall Street Journal
