Water-wasters outdoors

• Don't overwater your lawn. As a general rule, lawns only need watering every 5 to 7 days in the summer. A hearty rain eliminates the need for watering for as long as two weeks.

• Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation.

• Don't water your street, driveway, or sidewalk. Position your sprinklers so that your water lands on the lawn and shrubs and not the paved areas.

• Install sprinklers that are the most water-efficient for each use such as micro and drip irrigation and soaker hoses.

• Regularly check sprinkler systems and timing devices to be sure they are operating properly. Teach your family how to shut off automatic systems so they can turn them off when storms are approaching.

• Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended. Your garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn the water off.

Lawn Care

• Raise your lawn mower blade to at least three inches. A lawn cut higher encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system, and holds soil moisture better than closely-clipped lawns.

• Avoid overfertilizing your lawn. The application of fertilizers increases the need for water and is a source of water pollution.

Landscaping

• Mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulching also helps to control weeds that compete with plants for water.

• Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year.

• Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs, and trees. Check withyour local nursery for advice. Group plants together based on similar water needs.

• Outfit your hose with a shut-off nozzle which can be adjusted down to a fine spray so that water flows only as needed. When finished, turn it off at the faucet instead of at the nozzle to avoid leaks.

• Minimize the grass areas in your yard because less grass means less water.

• Buy a rain gauge to determine how much rain or irrigation your yard has received.

Other Outdoor Water-Wasters to Watch

• Avoid hosing down your driveway or sidewalk; use a broom instead and save hundreds of gallons of drinkable water.

• Check all hoses, connectors, and spigots regularly. Replace or add washers if you find leaks.

• Avoid the installation of ornamental water features unless the water is recycled.

• If you have a pool, consider a new water-saving pool filter. A single backflushing with a traditional filter uses from 180 to 250 gallons of water.

• Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park it on the grass, use a bucket with soapy water, turn off the water while soaping, and use a hose with a pressure nozzle to decrease rinsing time.

• Create an awareness of the need for water conservation among your children. Avoid purchasing recreational water toys that require a constant stream of water.