Outside Water Conservation

We have all witnessed sprinklers watering the driveway and sidewalk as well as the lawn, automatic sprinklers going on a rainy day, or someone washing their car with a hose that doesn't shut off. These are prime examples of common summer activities that produce a lot of water waste. 32% of your total yearly water bill goes to watering during the summer months. Following the below tips can help cut those water bills down.

• Water your lawn only when it needs it.
  • A good way to see if your lawn needs water is to step on the grass. Only water if it stays flat when you move.
• Deep soak your lawn.
  • Watering your lawn long enough for the water to get to the roots is better than short, light sprinkling that can evaporate and cause shallow roots.
• Water during the cool part of the day.
  • Watering in the early morning not only helps avoid evaporation, but also helps prevent fungus growth.
• Don't water the pavement.
  • Set your sprinklers to only hit the lawn, not the paved areas and use a broom instead of a hose for cleaning.
• Plant drought-resistant trees and plants.
  • Do some research to find trees and plants that don't need as much water.
• Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants.
  • Mulch not only helps retain the moisture, but also helps prevent weeds.
• Don't run the hose while washing your car.
  • Use a bucket of soapy water and add a spray nozzle to the hose instead of just letting the water run. Better yet, use a commercial car wash that recycles the water.
• Set mower blades one notch higher.
  • The longer the grass, the less evaporation.
• Learn how to amend your soil.
  • Improving your soil conditions will not only conserve water, but will help your plants thrive. Follow this link to find out more about soil amendments.