Water Conservation

Don't turn on the sprinklers too early in the season. Leaving lawns dormant longer will save water, and will not compromise the longevity of your lawn. April is too early to go automatic, plan on programming your sprinkler system to start in May or June. Hand-water trees and plants as needed - trees offer many benefits such as shade and habitat, and are often greatly impacted by drought, so keep an eye on the health of your trees and water them when needed.

Watering twice a week will make grass roots grow deeper and allow the grass to last longer without water. Cycling sprinkler system run times can prevent excess water runoff; visual inspections after an initial watering cycle will make this apparent. An example of a better watering schedule is setting each zone to water for five minutes then wait an hour, water for five minutes again, wait one more hour, then water for a final five minutes. This breaks up the 15 minutes of watering into three cycles, allowing the water to have time to absorb into dense and compact soils.

Watering landscapes in the early morning or at night will help reduce water loss. During the daytime heat, less water will be available to plants due to loss from evaporation and wind. A new outdoor landscaping code is in effect starting this May. From May 1 through September 30, water before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to reduce water loss to evaporation. Learn more about the new code and its exceptions.

Watch the weather and adjust watering days and times accordingly. Use soil moisture sensors or rain sensors to automatically adjust watering schedules when it rains. Consider installing a WaterSense Smart Irrigation Controller. Check with your water supplier for potential rebates on irrigation equipment and other opportunities.

Raise lawn mower blades and protect lawns from heat by letting grass grow longer (3 - 3.5 inches). A taller lawn provides shade to the roots and helps retain soil moisture, so your lawn requires less water.

Check to see if your irrigation heads are broken, tilted or not set-up properly by scheduling an irrigation assessment. Sweep driveways and sidewalks with a broom instead of spraying with a hose - but please not down the storm drain or into the street gutter. Use hand-watering, deep root water, or drip irrigation for trees, shrubs, bushes, perennial beds, annual flowers and vegetable gardens. Always use a shut-off nozzle on your hose when watering plants.

Check your sprinkler system monthly for broken sprinkler heads and damaged irrigation lines. Hire a professional to conduct a sprinkler assessment. A well-maintained system will save both money and water.

If possible, delay new lawn installations for a non-drought year and avoid planting during the mid-summer heat. If you've already purchased a water wise garden this year, plant early in the morning or evening in May. Incorporate water wise plants and turf when planning landscape renovations or installations.

Restaurants should only serve water when asked, not as a default practice.

Have your system checked regularly (at least 2x per month) and repair any identified leaks.

Take the time to bring awareness to your employees. Don't just assume everyone knows the best practices when it comes to water conservation and efficiency measures.

Use one glass per employee per day to reduce the number of dishes needing to be washed. Or better yet, offer your new employees a reusable water bottle to keep at work for their use.

Install toilet dams or a displacement device to cut down on the amount of water needed for each flush. Place an inch or two of sand or pebbles into a quart-sized container and fill the rest of the container with water. Put the cap on the container and place it in the toilet's tank, safely away from the operating mechanism. The container will save on each flush without impairing the efficiency of the toilet.

Make sure your toilets are leak-free. Put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet's tank. Wait 10-15 mins. If the coloring appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak and it should be repaired immediately. Even a small leak can waste thousands of gallons of water per year. Remember, you don't necessarily need to hear running water to have a leak.

Replace old fixtures with current, water-wise fixtures. The EPA defines a water sense fixture as one that uses two gallons or less of water per minute. Older fixtures can use as much as 10 gallons per minute.

Don't use or install ornamental water features unless they recycle water. If you do have one, place it in a shady spot (if possible) to reduce the rate of evaporation.

Start a conservation program at your place of business with clear goals that can be measured. Revisit your goals on an annual basis.

It is important to know how much water is being used for your industrial processes and/or domestic needs. Monitor your water bills to see how you're doing. Understand what your water allotment is and how well you are staying within your water budget each month.

Get your business certified! Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE) recognizes businesses that implement conservation best practices.