ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Heads Up Landscape Contractors has partnered with the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority and the New Mexico Water Collaborative on the Rainwater Harvesting Pilot Project. This project illustrates how everyday citizens can have an impact on the amount of potable water pumped, cleansed and conveyed to support their landscapes.
“Partnering with companies like Heads Up is critical to the success of the Rainwater Harvesting Program for several reasons. Firstly, the quality installation of a rainwater harvesting system and its connection to a home or business owner’s irrigation is important for the long term operation of the system,” says Yvette Tovar, Executive Director of the New Mexico Water Collaborative. “Secondly, in working with a reliable landscape contractor we can determine the true costs of rainwater harvesting systems and use that information to determine a meaningful rebate program in support of rainwater harvesting systems for all community members. And thirdly, is the opportunity to work with business owners like Gary Mallory who have an environmental stewardship ethic and experiencing how that ethic is an integral part of the corporate culture at Heads Up.”
Water conservation is an important part of Heads Up’s mission, and has been since the beginning. Heads Up was among the first companies in New Mexico to design and implement water-conserving, affordable landscapes that add beauty to residential and commercial outdoor areas, while saving water and money for our clients. We capture 120,000 gallons of rainwater and snow each year to irrigate the landscaping at our headquarters, and area architects and students often use our cistern system as a model.
The Rainwater Harvesting Program is one avenue towards securing long-term sustainability of our water resources, focusing on the opportunities to capture and store rainwater for reuse in landscape applications. The first phase will install several rainwater harvesting systems within the water authority’s service area. The anticipated water savings shall result in lower water bills for customers. An updated Rainwater Harvesting Guide will showcase all of the implementation sites of the first phase, demonstrating a variety of building footprints, building types, and lot considerations.