Conserving Water Outdoors - Texas Water Board

1. WATER-WISE IRRIGATION Repair or replace broken heads, valves, seals, and
CONSERVING
EQUIPMENT pipes. Once a month, run the sprinklers for a short
time on each cycle while you are at home to make
WATER
What is the most efficient irrigation system
for nonturf areas?
sure they are working properly.
OUTDOORS
Drip irrigation. It is the most efficient method of What features should I look for in an
watering bedded plants, trees, or shrubs. Soaker automatic sprinkler system?
hosesareaneasyandinexpensivealternativetodrip Optionsthatwillhelpyousavewater.Thecontroller
irrigation. ofnewsprinklersystemsshouldhavethesefeatures:
n a multiple scheduling option
What type of sprinkler should I use for
www.twdb.state.tx.us
the lawn? n a rain shut-off device
One that produces large drops of water close to the P.O. Box 13231
n a water budget feature (which allows percentage
ground.Don’tuseasprinklerthatproducesamistor Austin, Texas 78711-3231
adjustments without having to reprogram)
fine spray. Use a timer so you don’t forget to turn the
n test functions
sprinkler off.
How should I manage my automatic sprinkler
system for water efficiency?
Adjust the settings as needed. Don’t just set it in the
springandleaveitonallseason.Automaticsprinkler
systems provide an efficient method of watering
lawns. Their controllers use timers to turn off the
system when a measured amount of water is used,
andrainshut-offdevicespreventwateringintherain. www.wateriq.org
Notallplantshavethesamewateringrequirements.
Reduce the run time of sprinklers on shrubs, which
Visit the following Web site
may not need as much water as grass. Shady areas
for additional information.
may not need as much water either. Contact a
professional landscape irrigation specialist for a www.epa.gov/watersense
maintenance check.
IN THE SUMMER, outdoor water use can
account for 50 to 80 percent of home water use.
What maintenance is required for my
automatic sprinkler system? Texansmustusetheirpreciouswaterresourcesmore
Check sprinkler heads regularly. Remove dirt or efficiently, or we will have longer, more frequent
debris that may be clogging the nozzle and make watershortages,especiallyduringdroughtsandhot
sure the heads are working at the proper pressure Texas summers. Much of the water used outdoors
and not leaking. is wasted through inefficient landscape watering
practices.Byreducingtheamountofwaterwewaste,
we will save money and protect the quality of life of
rev. 04/10 future Texans.
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2. WATER-WISE What should I water? n Place mulch directly on the soil or weed barrier n Turn off decorative fountains on windy days and
CONSERVATION STEPS Only your plants. Don’t water the sidewalks and fabricthatcan“breathe.”Avoidusingsheetplastic during drought.
driveways. Use a broom to sweep debris away. in planting areas.
ManyTexaswaterutilitieschargehigherratesduring
thesummerorincreaseratesinincrementsbasedon How can I use rainwater? n Applya thin layer of compost to the lawn. It DESIGN A WATER-WISE
use.Reducingyouroutdoorwaterusebyfollowing Harvest it. Funnel the water from your gutters functions like mulch, increases organic content, LANDSCAPE
thesestepscanproducesubstantialsavingsinyour into a barrel or cistern and save it for a sunny day. and protects grass roots.
Plant water-efficient, well-adapted, and/or native
water bill: Rainwater is free and better for your plants because shrubs and trees. Bermuda, buffalo, and zoysia
n Determinehowmuchwateryourlandscapeneeds it doesn’t contain hard minerals. What should I know about fertilizing?
are drought-tolerant grasses. Choose plants that
to stay healthy. Apply fertilizer in the spring and fall. It helps
are drought tolerant (or at least have low water
developgoodrootsystemstokeepyourgrassmore
requirements)andheattolerantandcansurvivethe
n Use water-efficient landscape practices, such WATER-WISE LANDSCAPE drought tolerant.
minimum winter temperatures in your local area.
as proper mowing, mulching, and moderate MAINTENANCE Don’toverfertilizebecauseitcanrunoffandpollute Nativeplantsarealsomoreresistanttodiseasesand
fertilizing. pests.
When should I mow? local waterways. Too much fertilizer will also
n Design a water-efficient landscape by planting Only when the grass is dry. And don’t cut more than increase the grass’s need for water. Contact your
one-thirdofitslengthatonetime.Tallergrassholds Putdrought-tolerantgroundcoverinsteadofgrassin
drought-tolerantgrassandchoosingplantsthatare County AgriLife Extension Service or local nursery
moisturebetter,encouragesdeeperrootgrowth,and areasthatarenarrow,small,sloping,odd-shaped,or
nativeorwelladaptedtotheclimateconditionsin professional for a soil kit and recommendations for
is less susceptible to browning. Keep grass 3 inches closetopavement.Limitturfareastothoseneeded
your area. fertilizer.
tallduringthesummer(tallerthan3inchesstresses for practical uses.
the grass). How else can I improve my landscape? Contact your County AgriLife Extension Agent,
WATER-WISE LANDSCAPE Improve the soil. If the soil is rocky, sandy, shallow, your water-wise landscape professional, or your
How often should I water? What should I do with my grass clippings? heavy clay, or has little organic matter, it can be city or water supplier for recommendations of
Only when needed. One inch of water once a week Mulch or compost them. Grass clippings break improved by adding several inches of high quality water-efficientplantsthatareadaptedtoyourarea
should be sufficient to keep most Texas lawns down quickly and provide valuable nutrients. loam soil and 2 to 3 inches of organic matter such as of the state and additional information on efficient
healthy. mulch or compost. landscape water use.
How can I conserve soil moisture?
Properwateringwillhelpgrassandshrubsdevelop Use lots of mulch. It will make your shrubs and High quality soil helps reduce irrigation needs by
deep roots (it is especially important to start this young trees more tolerant to the scorching Texas retainingwaterbetterwhenaddedtosandyandclay
during the spring when root growth is at its peak). heat. soils. Unless the soil is damaged or depleted, native
Over-wateredturfwillhaveashortrootsystemand andwell-adaptedplantsmaynotrequireimported
n 1 to 3 inches of mulch
will not be drought tolerant. By slowly adjusting to soil. Aerate the lawn once a year. Weed the lawn
• retains moisture
successivelylongerperiodsbetweenwaterings,the andgardenasneeded.Weedsrobplantsofvaluable
turf can grow deeper roots and become drought • reduces runoff water.
tolerant. • helps moderate soil temperatures
• aids in root development How else can I minimize water use?
What time of day should I water? • reduces erosion Don’t forget your pools, spas, and fountains.
Early morning or late evening during hot summer • slows weed growth
n Cover pools and spas when not in use to lessen
months.Otherwise,thewatercansimplyevaporate • prevents soil compaction
between the sprinkler and grass. • makes your landscape beautiful evaporation.
n Backwash your filter only as necessary.