TIPS FOR CONSERVING WATER OUTDOORS
If you have a lawn, chances are it is your biggest water user. Typically, at least 50% of water consumed by households is used outdoors. (Inside your house, bathroom facilities claim nearly 75% of the water used.) • Adjust sprinklers so only the lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. Don’t water on windy days. Check and maintain your sprinkler system regularly. • Water your lawn every third day. Always water during the cool time of the day to minimize evaporation (early morning is best). • A good rain means you don’t have to water at all.
• Minimize grass areas in your yard because less grass means less water demand. Replace grass with low-water-use landscaping. • Adjust your irrigation schedule to accommodate changes in seasonal water demand. Install an automatic timer. • Buy a rain gauge to determine how much rain or irrigation your yard has received. •When mowing, raise the blade on your lawn mower to at least three inches high, or to its highest level. Closely cut grass makes the roots work harder, requiring more water.
• For landscaping, use low-water-use plants. Check with your local nursery for the best native or low-water-use trees, shrubs and plants. •Using a layer of mulch around plants reduces evaporation and promotes plant growth. Water retaining basins also allow water to be concentrated around the plants. • Use the principles of Xeriscape (pronounced ZERE-AH-SCAPE). This landscaping method uses native and drought-tolerant plants, mulch to hold in moisture and groups plants according to water and light needs.
• For more water-efficient cooling, check your evaporative coolers annually. •When washing the car, use soap and water from a bucket and use a hose with a shut-off nozzle for the final rinse. • Use a broom, not a water hose, for cleaning your driveway.
Tips are from the Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District.