Water-efficient landscape design conserves water and protects water quality by following basic principles: grouping plants by water needs, using native plants, limiting turf areas, using efficient irrigation, proper scheduling and soil/mulch maintenance. It reduces outdoor water usage by 20-50% and lowers water bills. While not more expensive initially, water-efficient landscaping saves on long-term maintenance costs. Resources like the EPA provide guidance on creating sustainable, water-efficient landscapes.

1. GREEN BUILDING MANUAL NEW RESIDENTIAL UPDATED 2-MAY -11
Water-Efficient Landscape Design
What is Water-Efficient Landscape Design?
Water-efficient landscaping has many different terms associated with it but most rely on the
same basic principles. Xeriscape landscaping, for example, is defined as “quality landscaping
that conserves water and protects the environment.” Most water efficient landscaping approaches
incorporate the following suggestions: 1
o Group plants according to their water needs
o Use native and adapted plants (see Native and Adapted Plants strategy)
o Limit turf areas to those needed for practical uses
o Use efficient irrigation systems
o Schedule irrigation wisely
o Make sure soil is healthy
o Remember to mulch
o Provide regular maintenance
Figure 1 - Non-Xeriscaping (left) and Xeriscaping (right)
(Source: US EPA – Water-Efficient Landscaping)
1
US EPA. Water-Efficient Landscaping: Preventing Pollution & Using Resources Wisely.
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/docs/water-efficient_landscaping_508.pdf (accessed April 15, 2010). Denver Water
welcomes the use of the term Xeriscape in books, articles, and speeches promoting water-conserving landscape.
Rutgers Center for Green Building is using this term with permission from Denver Water. For permission to use
“Xeriscape” in your publications, call Denver Water at 303 628-6330.

2. GREEN BUILDING MANUAL NEW RESIDENTIAL UPDATED 2-MAY -11
Water-efficient landscaping reduces water consumption and protects water quality. The US EPA
estimates that the average family of four uses about 400 gallons of water per day, 30 percent of
which is dedicated to outdoor use. Landscape irrigation accounts for more than one third of all
residential water use nationwide. Water use is dependent on location and climate but in some
areas, up to 50 percent of water used to irrigate may be lost to evaporation, wind, and improper
system design or overwatering. 2 Minimizing or eliminating the use of potable water for irrigation
can conserve clean water for the benefit of the environment and the community.
How to Implement Water-Efficient Landscapes
Natural rainfall is the best source of water for plants in the landscape and one way to conserve
water is to design landscapes that need only natural rainfall to survive. These landscapes
generally only require supplemental irrigation during the plants’ initial establishment period.
Climate-based controllers for irrigation systems can also decrease water used for irrigation.
Consider using non-potable water for irrigation (see Rain Barrels and Cisterns and On Site
Greywater Treatment strategies).3
For more extensive information on water efficient landscaping, refer to
US EPA’s Water-Efficient Landscaping: Preventing Pollution & Using Resources Wisely
Voluntary programs, like US EPA’s Greenscapes Alliance, help guide the implementation of
more eco-friendly landscapes, including water efficient landscaping.
Benefits
Economic:
o Lowers water bills – careful design and choice of appropriate plants can reduce outdoor
water use by 20 to 50 percent 4
o Increases home values – attractive, water-efficient landscaping may increase property
values
o Saves money spent on landscape maintenance because many water-efficient plants
require less care
o Reduces tax burden because water resource infrastructure is less burdened
2
US EPA. Outdoor Water Use in the United States. http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/outdoor.html (accessed
December 10, 2010).
3
Sustainable Sites Initiative. Hydrology. http://www.sustainablesites.org/hydrology/ (accessed November 20, 2010).
4
US EPA. Outdoor Water Use in the United States. http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/outdoor.html (accessed
October 20, 2010).

3. GREEN BUILDING MANUAL NEW RESIDENTIAL UPDATED 2-MAY -11
Environmental:
o Conserves natural resources
o Protects habitat and biodiversity when existing habitats are preserved and/or new native
plant communities introduced
o Lowers energy use due to less pumping and treatment of water
o Reduces stormwater and irrigation runoff that carry top soils and pollutants into
waterways
Personal Wellness:
o Saves time spent on landscaping
Costs
The cost of water efficient landscaping does not exceed the cost of conventional landscaping.
The cost and cost-savings of water efficient landscaping will vary depending on the local cost of
water. Converting irrigated turf lawns to ground covers or mulched areas can result in
considerable cost savings. Changing watering schedule and landscape management without
making any physical changes in the landscape may save water. A study by the NC Cooperative
Extensive Service notes that converting 1,000 square feet of irrigated area to a non-irrigated area
may save up homeowners up to $60 per year.5
Incentives for homeowners may be available through the US EPA’s WaterSense program. The
program assists homeowners in improving water efficiency and reducing costs by promoting
efficient irrigation technologies such as weather-based irrigation controllers and soil moisture
sensors.
Resources
US EPA Water-Efficient Landscaping: Preventing Pollution & Using Resources Wisely
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/docs/water-efficient_landscaping_508.pdf
NJ DEP Creating Sustainable Communities – A Guide for Developers and Communities
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/opsc/docs/Sustainable_Landscape.pdf
5
NC Cooperative Extension. How to Plan & Design a Wise-Water-Use Landscape
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/wqwm/ag508_2.html (accessed November 20, 2010).

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Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Landscaping for Water Conservation: A Guide for New Jersey.
http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=E080
Rutgers NJ Agricultural Experiment Station – Low Water Use Landscaping
http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=fs595
Sustainable Sites Initiative
http://www.sustainablesites.org/
Delaware River Basin Commission
http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/drbc.htm
NJ Drought Information: Ideas for saving water
http://www.njdrought.org/ideas.html