Conservation Tips for Outdoors

Tips & Tricks


From November through March each year, our normal rainfall amounts are enough to keep your landscapes alive. Most established plants (trees, shrubs, perennials and turf grass) in the landscape will be in a dormant state during the winter and not using more than 1-2 inches of precipitation per month. If we receive this amount in precipitation, there is no need to use the irrigation system at all.
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To manage your system within the Stage 3 water restrictions, please keep all irrigation controllers in the "off" position. Use them in the manual mode, only if really needed, on your designated day. If you are unsure how your irrigation controller operates, please consult with a licensed irrigation specialist to help ensure no accidental runs of your sprinkler system. Fines for running water on the wrong day can be up to $2,000. Please conserve all possible water during this time to prolong our water supply!

The Texas Forest Service provides a video on How to Water Trees.

A HEALTHY LANDSCAPE ACTUALLY REQUIRES LESS WATER THAN YOU MAY THINK.
"Water My Yard" program has been established as a tool to assist you in determining an adequate amount of supplemental water that is needed to maintain healthy grass."

http://watermyyard.org/

Save on your Water Bill
More than 50% of a homeowner’s water bill may consist of lawn and landscape watering. This watering usually accounts for the most water waste! Here are useful tips to produce substantial savings in your water bill:

  • Design landscape with water-efficient plants. 
  • Determine how much water your landscape needs to stay healthy.
  • Follow landscape management regulations listed in the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency and Emergency Response plans.
  • Keep automatic irrigation controllers in the "off" position and turn on water only when necessary!
  • Keep irrigation system equipment maintained! Broken or misaligned sprinkler heads waste tremendous amounts of water and they are subject to violation.
  • Never use a hose to sweep sidewalks and driveways!
  • Use a hose shut-off nozzle to keep from wasting water.
  • Use water-wise landscape management practices.