Water matters: Next generation water summit -- water reuse and conservation: the new paradigm
Jun. 8—By June, most of us are anxiously scanning the skies for monsoon rains to bring much needed water to our reservoirs and rivers. June also brings exceptionally hot and dry weather, which increases demand for watering our outdoor landscapes. The changing climate causes extreme weather conditions, making us vulnerable to water shortages. However, the City of Santa Fe continually learns more about innovative and sustainable approaches for our community's water future by co-sponsoring the annual Next Generation Water Summit (NGWS).
The City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County invite the public to attend the NGWS at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, June 14 — 17. Santa Fe County and city community members can attend the virtual conference and community tours for free! Register for the summit at savewatersantafe.com/ngws and learn more about the agenda of activities, the speakers and the Mayor's Reception.
The City of Santa Fe and the county jointly sponsor this annual summit to bring together national and state water experts, water-reuse and conservation professionals, as well as local, state and national water policymakers, to share best practices about new water conservation strategies and water-reuse techniques to develop reliable water supplies. The NGWS helps us learn about the latest technologies to meet present and future water needs.
TOURS
This year's summit offers three unique, free, hands-on outdoor water conservation community tours on Saturday, June 17.
—WATER CONSERVATION OFFICE DEMONSTRATION GARDENS: 9 — 11 A.M.Location: Across the parking lot from Midtown Bistro, off San Mateo Road
Take a self-guided tour of native plants, pollinator gardens and cactus garden installed by the Cactus Rescue Project, with staff available to answer questions. There will be giveaways of native seed packets, Xerces Pollinator Kits, shut-off nozzles and more! A rain barrel raffle will also take place. Opportunities to submit raffle tickets at every summit community event increases your chances of winning. You don't need to be present at the drawing to win.
—SANTA FE COMMUNITY COLLEGE LIVING LABORATORY GREENHOUSE FOR AQUAPONIC AND HYDRO-PONIC PRODUCTION SYSTEMS TOUR: NOON — 2:00 P.M.Location: Trades & Advanced Technology Center (TATC), 6401 Richards Avenue, at the southeast end of the campus
Learn about the 12,000-square-foot, off-grid, controlled-environment agriculture greenhouse. See the new rainwater collection and distribution system designed with smart meters. You'll also learn about algae cultivation systems, and aquaponics and hydroponics closed-loop food production systems. For more information, call 303-579-1543.
—RAIN GARDEN TOUR: 3 — 5 P.M.Location: Visit https://savewatersantafe.com/ngws for locations
Reese Baker leads visits at different locations showcasing three phases of rain gardens in an urban environment. The gardens take city stormwater and improves its quality by passing it through certain types of basins and other structures so that it can safely be returned to the river. Each rain garden features stilling basins, infiltration basins, edible plants, wildlife-attracting plants and pollinator-attracting plants. Grasses and fungi are also employed to bioremediate petroleum byproducts, pesticides, microplastics and other contaminants.
Water matters: Next generation water summit — water reuse and conservation: the new paradigm
