By Mark Abromaitis
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
In Colorado, there isn’t exactly an unending supply of water. So when Erickson moved to Denver, making sure the new community wasn’t a water hog was a main priority.
Erickson took extra steps during Wind Crest’s construction to ensure the best use of this precious natural resource—from using nonpotable water for irrigation to furnishing homes with super-efficient, front-loading washing machines.
“We explored every option that was available to us regarding water conservation,” Wind Crest Executive Director Craig Erickson says. “We wanted to make sure we offered the best access to our residents, without overburdening the town of Highlands Ranch. And I think we’ve achieved that.”
Thinking outside the box
Although some of the water measures at Erickson’s first Colorado community might appear a tad “green,” Wind Crest residents will hardly notice them, says local water consultant Carmine Iadarola.
That’s because Erickson refused to sacrifice quality and efficacy in its quest to select cost-effective, waterfriendly options. Iadarola, president and owner of Littleton-based AquaSan Network, recently told the Tribune that the water conservation measures being undertaken at Wind Crest make it a model water conservation community that’s expected to be featured in an article by a local water agency.
From the outside, in
Beginning with the exterior use of water, Wind Crest will not use potable water for landscape irrigation—which is common in most single-family homes in the area.
“Half of the water used in Colorado is for irrigation,” Iadarola says. So by using treated effluent, runoff water, Iadarola says Wind Crest will draw less water from the local water supply and save money at the same time.