According to the EPA, of the 29 billion gallons of water used daily by households in the U.S., 30 percent is used for outdoor uses. Of that 30 percent, more than 80 percent is used for lawn watering.
The information found below can help you develop and maintain a yard that is attractive, efficient and WaterSmart.
With some planning, your yard can be in full bloom and WaterSmart-friendly at the same time. These tips are easy things you can do to help make water go farther in your yard. Be sure to check out the links where you can find much more detailed information about water efficient landscape planning.
- Position plants with similar water needs together. Then you can hand-water shrubs and flowers that need it without watering the whole bed.
- Select warm-season grasses, such as Zoysia or Bermuda.
- Install turf areas close to your home and increase the amount of natural areas.
- Increase your chances of success by delaying installation of new plants until fall.
- Select drought-tolerant species best suited to your site.
For much more:
EPA’s WaterSense page on landscape design.
Outdoor Watering Tips
Watering and irrigating efficiently can improve by 20-40 percent, saving you money on your water bill. Try the tips below to get started.
- Healthy landscapes need only one inch of water a week.
- Remove water-hogging weeds. Mulch to retain moisture. Mulch around trees, shrubs and flowers to help the soil retain moisture and prevent weeds.
- Prune plants—smaller plants require less water.
- Use drip irrigation to apply water slowly and directly to the roots of plants and trees.
- Water during optimal time between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
- Install a rain sensor to prevent irrigation during a rain event.
- Inspect your irrigation system and equipment for leaks.
- Consider installing a smart controller for your irrigation system
- Test sprinklers and spray heads to ensure they work properly and direct them away from paved surfaces.
For much more detailed information about irrigation systems, backflow requirements and irrigation meters, please visit the Irrigation and Sprinklers section of our site. For more about smart irrigation, click here.