Tips for Water Conservation in Landscapes

Reduce stormwater runoff.
Keeping rain and sprinkler water on your yard, and out of storm drains, reduces pollution of our shared streams, bays, rivers and lakes...and even the ocean downstream from you. Runoff can be reduced by directing downspouts onto lawns or landscaped beds, using rain barrels to collect rain water for irrigation and using pervious materials such as gravel or mulch for driveways and paths.

Protect the waterfront.
Natural water features, such as a stream or lake make a special contribution to our quality of life, but these natural treasures are also very fragile. Create a 10-foot-to-20-foot "buffer zone" to the shoreline where no chemicals are applied, and where you remove invasive exotic plants and replace with appropriate natives or other non-invasive exotics.  In fact, it's smart to remove exotic, invasive plants everywhere! 

Select plants that require less water.
Many of these will likely be native or low-water plants. An additional benefit to using native plants is that they tend to attract local wildlife. Many native plants survive only on rainfall -- and that reduces your water bill, and the impact on our fresh water supply.

Native and other "climate appropriate" landscape materials can reduce irrigation water use by more than 50%.

Water efficiently.
Large amounts of water are consumed by watering landscapes. Efficient watering or irrigation practices are essential to conserve water. Over watering not only reduces our fresh water supply but can result in excess water run-off carrying fertilizers and pollutants into our streams, bays, lakes and rivers.

Over watering can also result in disease such as fungus and in the excessive growth of weeds and pests. Signs of over watering include dollar weed, root and leaf disease, and thatch buildup. Too much water promotes weak growth and that increases pruning and mowing.

Less frequent watering encourages deeper root development and healthier turf. Using chemicals to combat the results of over watering contributes to stormwater runoff and lake and well pollution.

Use the most efficient irrigations methods.
Use trickle, drip or soaker hose irrigation systems where possible. They use less water than sprinklers and are particularly effective in areas that require more water such as trees or gardens.

When sprinklers are used, select one that releases water slowly and close to the ground in contrast to one that releases a mist which tends to evaporate more easily. Place sprinklers at the top of sloped areas so that the water that does run away ends up watering the entire slope.

Irrigation heads should be aligned with the areas that they are intended to water.

Use the best choices for watering.

• Sprinklers for Lawns
• Bubblers for Trees
• Drip Irrigation for Gardens and Shrubs
• Soaker Hoses for Flower Beds and Ground Covers

• Use washers between faucets or spigots and water hoses to reduce the loss of water between connections.
• Check your hoses for punctures.
• Repair punctures with duct or electrician's tape or by splicing (connectors can be found at hardware or home supply stores).
• When using a hand hose to water new plantings, use a nozzle to control the amount of water used.