Watering Efficiently
Billions of gallons of water are wasted every day from inefficient landscape watering. The key to watering lawns is to apply water infrequently, yet thoroughly. Watering too heavily or too often can weaken your lawn, waste water, and carry soil, fertilizers, and pesticides into streams. Watering too little can also waste water because it does little to alleviate stress on grass from drought.
Some plants may have lower water requirements. You may be able to reduce the sprinkler run time for areas of your yard with these plants. Here are some tips:
- Replace your standard irrigation clock timer with a newer, more water-efficient controller and save nearly 8,800 gallons of water annually. New technology uses local weather and landscape conditions to determine your yard’s water needs.
- Ensure sprinklers are not watering sidewalks or driveways. Also, sprinklers should spray large drops close to the ground, rather than a fog or mist, which can be blown away by wind.
- Regularly maintain your permanent sprinkler system to make sure water is being properly applied, sprinkler heads are free from debris, water is flowing at the proper pressure, and the system does not have leaks.
- Consider alternatives to spray irrigation when possible. Drip irrigation can minimize evaporation and runoff by 60 percent or more. This system works best with plants such as ornamentals, vines, or vegetables.
Remember to comply with your water system’s restrictions.
Information obtained from Take Care of Texas. Visit http://takecareoftexas.org/conservation-tips/conserve-our-water for more information.