Outdoor Water Conservation

rainbarrelcircleThe EPA states, "The average American household uses about 30 percent of its water outdoors, while in some parts of the country, this can be as high as 70 percent.  Experts estimate that as much as 50 percent of landscape water use goes to waste due to evaporation, wind, or runoff caused by overwatering.  Some households lose up to 70 gallons of water each day!"

  •   
  • If you have automatic sprinklers, Purchase a 'Rain Sensor'.  rainsensorThis low cost (< $40), easy to install devices senses if a recent rainfall event has occured and automatically and temporarily shuts off your sprinkler system until it dries out.  It then resumes the system as previously programmed.
  • Water your lawn only in the cool parts of the day to minimize evaporation. How much is enough? Place a tuna or cat food can on the lawn in reach of the sprinkler. When the can is full, your yard has had sufficient watering (1"). Light sprinklings tend to evaporate quickly and encourage shallow root growth. Heavy sprinklings run off and waste water.
  • Purchase and install a rainbarrel(s) to store rainwater and reuse to irrigate your yard, flowers, and garden.
  • Avoid watering the driveway and street, too!
  •  Let your grass grow longer in warm months to discourage evaporation and lawn burn.
  • Limit the amount of turf in your yard and grow plants which require little water.
  • Sweep off your driveway, walks and patio rather than hosing them off.
  • Buy a trigger nozzle for your hose rather than leaving the water running between uses.
  • Cover swimming pools when not in use to prevent evaporation.
  • Mulch outdoor plants to help the soil retain moisture.
  • Use reclaimed greywater, if available (see www.greywaterguerillas.com)
  • Use Xeriscape Landscaping
 

'Like' Us on FB