Outdoor Water Saving Tips

Did you know?

A third of the water Americans consume daily is used to irrigate lawns, water gardens, and maintain landscaping. More alarming, up to fifty percent of that water goes to waste due to over-watering, runoff, and evaporation. With a few simple steps, we can reduce the amount of water we use – and waste – on our lawns and gardens without compromising their health or appearance.

The Environmental Protection Agency encourages homeowners to take a closer look at their outdoor water use. Some simple steps can save you water and money!

• Water in the early morning to minimize evaporation. Watering the lawn and garden between the hours of 10pm and 6am, when temperatures are cooler, allows the water to infiltrate the soil without evaporating. Avoid watering when it is windy or during the heat of the day.
• You can use a soaker hose or a drip irrigation system to give your plants' roots a slow, stead supply of water.
• Check your outdoor faucets, hoses, and irrigation system for leaks, they can be tough to find but the water savings are worth the effort! Repair or replace broken sprinkler heads promptly.
• Don't over water. Your lawn only needs about on  inch of water each week, including rain to stay green. Use a rain gauge to know exactly how much water your lawn has already received. 
• Use a hose timer. If you use a hose-end sprinkler to water your lawn, a timer is a great way to prevent overwatering.