HomeMy WebLinkAboutUBI 2017 JULY_AUG_webmay have one or more sprinkler heads
pointed in the wrong direction. Adjust
their positions and spray patterns to avoid
watering sidewalks or structures and to
provide clearance over growing plants.
CHECK THE PRESSURE
All sprinklers operate best at a water
pressure that uniformly distributes the
water. To provide system reliability and
fire protection, water utilities must also
maintain a minimum water pressure that
may be higher than the irrigation system’s
ideal pressure. The Irrigation Association
notes that for every five-point reduction in
water pressure, you could decrease your
water use by six to eight percent. Reducing
excessively high pressure also eliminates
problems such as misting sprinklers. A
licensed irrigator can reduce pressure by
adding valves or replacing standard sprinkler
heads with pressure-compensating heads.
INSTALL A RAIN SHUTOFF SWITCH
Inexpensive rain sensors prevent irrigation
systems from running during and after rain
showers – trimming irrigation by up to 35
percent and extending the life of your
system. In College Station, rain sensors
are required on all systems installed after
Inside College Station
* * * * * * * C C S * Home of Texas A&M University® * College Station, Texas * * * * * * *
Outdoor water usage accounts for
up to 80 percent of home water
use during summer months. Since July is
Smart Irrigation Month, this is the perfect
time to improve the efficiency of your
outdoor irrigation system. The use of
smart technologies can help you maintain
beautiful landscapes while maximizing
efficiency – and that means significant
reductions on your monthly water bill.
These water-saving tips are useful whether
you make the changes yourself or use a
licensed irrigator.
INSPECT YOUR SYSTEM MONTHLY
Irrigation systems need regular maintenance
to function efficiently. Damage from lawn
equipment or improper winterization can
cause leaks and other serious problems.
Run your system through all its zones
and check for leaks, wet spots, and water
running from a single spot, geysers, and
broken or clogged spray heads. You should
clean clogged screens and microirrigation
filters as needed.
ADJUST SPRINKLER HEADS
Is your driveway or sidewalk wet after every
irrigation cycle? Do you have dry spots in
your yard despite regular watering? You
JULY-AUGUST 2017
2009. Older systems can be retrofitted to
accommodate this new feature as well.
KNOW WHEN TO WATER YOUR LAWN
Through Brazos Valley Water Smart,
customers can sign up to receive a weekly
email informing them on whether or not
their lawn needs water. The site informs
customers on how long to run sprinklers
based on weather stations and rainfall
data collected specifically from their
neighborhood. Since different sprinkler
heads disperse different amounts of water,
recommendations for run times based
on head design are also located on the
site. Depending on your current system
operation, signing up for this free service
could mean saving hundreds of dollars each
year! Sign up at bvwatersmart.tamu.edu.
FREE IRRIGATION CHECKUP
According to EPA’s WaterSense, homes
with automatic irrigation systems use
about 50 percent more water outdoors
than those without – even more if there
are leaks, are programmed incorrectly or
have misdirected sprinkler heads. A free
landscape irrigation checkup from College
Station Water Services will show you how
to check your system for broken or missing
sprinkler heads and locate leaks.
A checkup typically takes less than 45
minutes. You’ll get a written report and a
suggested irrigation schedule. While the
inspectors won’t make repairs or perform
landscape maintenance, their reports are
handy if you need to call a licensed irrigator
to fix a problem. To schedule a free irrigation
checkup, call 979-764-6223.
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Smart Irrigation Month: Make Every Drop Count
For more water conservation tips, visit: cstx.gov/water.
$50,000 may be available. Up to $25,000 of
the assistance may also be forgivable.
RECONSTRUCTION LOAN ASSISTANCE
For owner-occupied homes in substandard
condition, but not eligible for rehabilitation
assistance, a reconstruction loan of up to
$110,000 may be available. Up to $40,000
of the assistance may also be forgivable.
For more details, contact Community
Development Services at 979.764.3778 or
visit cstx.gov/housingassistance.
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BVVM Wall of honor
The Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial
(BVVM) manages a striking, inspirational
monument in Veterans Park and Athletic
Complex off Harvey Road. The Wall of
Honor includes names of thousands of
veterans who have served our country in
military service.
This is a rare opportunity to honor your
beloved veteran, living or deceased, by
placing their name on the Wall of Honor.
The BVVM asks for a $150 donation for
each name to cover costs associated with
the memorial. Names submitted by Aug. 15
will be presented in a Veterans Day program
on Nov. 10. Applications postmarked after
Aug. 15 will not be engraved until Veterans
Day of the next calendar year.
Please visit bvvm.org, call 979.696.6247 or
email info@bvvm.org for more information.
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City Council Elections
City Council Places 1, 3 and 5 will be at stake
in the Nov. 7 election. Candidates must be
at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens, qualified
Texas voters and College Station residents
for at least one year prior to Election Day.
Candidate information packets are available
in the City Secretary’s Office.
ELECTION SCHEDULE
July 24-Aug. 24: Candidate filing period
Oct. 10: Last day to register to vote
Oct.23-Nov. 3: Early voting
Nov. 7: Election Day
Learn more at cstx.gov/elections.
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Make an impact, be a volunteer!
College Station Parks and Recreation is
looking for volunteer coaches. Get in the
game by using your talents to encourage,
guide and train young athletes.
Volunteers dedicate their time to helping
children develop new skills, and learn the
fundamentals of sports, the value of practice,
healthy competition, sportsmanship and
teamwork. Our volunteer coaches are
vital to growing and maintaining fully
operational athletic programs. There are a
variety of sports to choose from.
Youth Flag Football (Ages 6-12)
September-November & April-June
Girls Volleyball (Ages 8-14)
September-November & May-July
Youth Basketball (Ages 6-16)
January-March & May-July
If interested in coaching, call 979.764.3486
or visit cstx.gov/sportsvolunteer.
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Housing Assistance Programs
The following housing assistance programs
are available through the City of College
Station’s Community Development Office.
HOMEBUYER EDUCATION COURSE
Learn more about buying and maintaining
a home from the City of College Station.
Course topics include understanding credit,
obtaining a mortgage loan and home
shopping. For class dates and registration
information, visit cstx.gov/homebuyer.
DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
This program offers shared equity gap
financing of up to 30 percent of the sales
price of a home in College Station for
income-eligible households through a 0
percent interest, deferred loan.
MINOR REPAIR ASSISTANCE
For eligible owner-occupied homes in need
of minor, but necessary or urgent repairs, a
grant of up to $7,500 may be available.
REHABILITATION LOAN ASSISTANCE
For eligible owner-occupied homes in need
of major home renovations, a loan of up to
Inside College Station
events
U.S. NAVY BAND TOUR Aug. 5 • 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.Veterans Park and Athletic Complexcstx.gov/events, 979.764.3486
EXPLORING HISTORY LUNCHEONSAug. 16: “History of Landscape Architecture” by Bill WelchSept. 20: “Statues at Veterans Park” by Payne Lara11:30 a.m. $7 per person.Aldersgate United Methodist ChurchRSVP to: mrodgers@cstx.govor 979.764.6351
CASINO DAY & LUNCHAug. 30 • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Southwood Community Centermrodgers@cstx.gov, 979.764.6351
MEXICAN WAR MEMORIAL STATUE DEDICATIONSept. 13 • 5:30 p.m.Veterans Park and Athletic Complexbvvm.org, 979.764.6247
athletics
cstx.gov/sports • 979.764.3486
ADULT KICKBALL & SOFTBALLRegistration ends Aug. 13.Ages 16+. Fee: $390/team.
ADULT VOLLEYBALLRegistration ends Aug. 13.Ages 16+. Fee: $225/team.
NFL FLAG FOOTBALLRegistration ends Sept. 6.Ages 6-12. Fee: $70.
CHALLENGER SOCCERRegistration ends Sept. 15.Ages 3+ with special needs. Fee: $15.
START SMART FOOTBALLRegistration ends Sept. 18.Ages 3-6. Fee: $50.
JUNIOR BEGINNER TENNISRegistration ends Sept. 25.Ages 5-15. Fee: $70.
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