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Home My WebLink AboutUBI 2018 JULY_AUGmay 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 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, 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 2018 2009. Older systems can be retrofitted to accommodate this new feature. KNOW WHEN TO WATER YOUR LAWN Through Brazos Valley Water Smart, customers can sign up to receive a weekly email informing them if their lawn needs water. The site informs customers how long to run sprinklers based on weather stations and rainfall data collected specifically from their neighborhood. Since sprinkler heads disperse different amounts of water, recommendations for run times based on head design are also located on the site. Depending on your 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, or they 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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Smart Irrigation Month: Make Every Drop Count For more water conservation tips, visit cstx.gov/water. Become a Volunteer Coach 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. Youth Flag Football (Ages 6-12) September-November & April-June Girls Volleyball (2nd-7th Grade) 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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Host a National Night Out Party National Night Out is an annual campaign that promotes neighborhood integrity, teaches crime prevention and strenghtens police-community partnerships. Residents are encouraged to step outside on Tuesday, Oct. 2. to mingle with their neighbors and visit with local law enforcement officers, who will be stopping at neighborhood block parties throughout the evening. National Night Out block parties are a great way to interact with your neighbors and meet your local police officers. Interested in organizing a block party for your neighborhood or apartment complex? Register for free today at cstx.gov/nno. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Follow Your City Keep up with city events, programs, emergencies, traffic, utility notices and much more by following us on social media. We’d love to hear from you, too! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Housing Assistance Programs The following housing assistance programs are available through the City of College Station’s Community Services Office: DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE This program offers shared equity gap financing of up to 30 percent of the sales price of a home for income-eligible households through a 0 percent interest, deferred loan. MINOR REPAIR ASSISTANCE Income-qualified homeowners in the city limits may be eligible for a grant of up to $7,500 to address an emergency health or safety issue. REHABILITATION LOAN ASSISTANCE For eligible owner-occupied homes in need of major home renovations, a loan of up to $50,000 may be available. 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. Visit cstx.gov/housingassistance for more details or call 979.764.3778. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Homebuyer Education Course If you are thinking about becoming a homeowner, the Homebuyer Education Course will equip you with the knowledge you need to make wise and informed decisions. The NeighborWorks America- approved curriculum includes five topics: • Are you ready to buy a home? • Managing your money • Obtaining a mortgage loan • Shopping for a home • Protecting your investment This course will be Mondays, Oct. 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Recreation Center, at 1000 Eleanor St. It’s $20 if you’d like a course book. Be sure to attend all four unique sessions to obtain a certificate. Reserve your spot today at cstx.gov/homebuyer or call 979.764.3778. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside College Station events CITY COUNCIL ELECTION SCHEDULE City Council Places 4 and 6 will be at stake in the Nov. 6 election. July 3-Aug. 20: Candidate filing period Oct. 8: Last day to register to vote Oct. 22-Nov. 2: Early voting Nov. 6: Election Day cstx.gov/elections, 979.764.3541 FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS Aug. 31, Sept. 28 & Oct. 265-8 p.m. at Wolf Pen Creek ParkAll ages welcome. Free admission.cstx.gov/wolfpen, 979.764.486 ADAMSON LAGOON OPEN LABOR DAY WEEKEND Saturday-Sunday, 12-7 p.m. Monday, 12-6 p.m.cstx.gov/pools, 979.764.3735 CITY OFFICES CLOSED LABOR DAYMonday, Sept. 3 Regular work day for all sanitation and recycling collections. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT KICKOFFSept. 20 • 4-7 p.m. • Free admission!Target, 3061 Wildflower Dr. in Bryancstx.gov/nno athletics cstx.gov/sports • 979.764.3486 YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALLRegistration: June 4-Sept. 6.Ages 6-12. Fee: $70. CHALLENGER SOCCERRegistration: July 2-Sept. 16.Ages 3+ with special needs. Fee: $15. START SMART FOOTBALLRegistration: June 4-Sept. 24.Ages 3-6. Fee: $35. ADULT ULTIMATE FRISBEE LEAGUERegistration: Aug. 27-Sept. 26.Ages 16+. Fee: $20. JULY-AUGUST 2018 {PAGE 2} @CityOfCS /CityOfCollegeStation