Summer Time Water Conservation Tips

Water bills normally increase in summer because more water is used. However, the summer increase is even greater because the charge for each unit of water is also increasing with greater use.

Water rates are based on “units” of 100 cubic feet of water (748 gallons). The first five “100 cubic foot units” of water only costs $1.54 each. However, those same “100 cubic foot units”, if you have already used 7,500 cubic feet or more, now cost $4.90 each.

If you water your lawn regularly, you will likely use enough water to bump up to the $4.90 rate. This means for every hour your sprinkler runs, it costs you even more.

The Typical single family home seasonal bi-monthly bill: Winter = 2,000 cubic feet – $108.34; Summer = 4,600 cubic feet – $191.57. (See our Rates Page for more info.)

Three basic steps to save water and your money are:

• Water your lawn on alternating days, odd numbered dates if your address is an odd number and even dates if your address is an even number.
• Water when it benefits your lawn the most – early in the morning or late in the evening – never between noon and 9 PM.
• Turn off automatic sprinkler systems when it rains!!!

Summer Conservation Checklist

Please use the following list of tips for maintaining a green lawn with less water through proper irrigation. This conserves water, helps control your water bill, while still keeping your lawn and garden green and healthy.

Tips For a Green & Water Wise Lawn

• Aerate compacted and heavy traffic areas. Again spring or fall are the best times.
• Using proper soil preparation and lawn maintenance practices will help to build healthy soil and vigorous, deep-rooted lawns. These lawns are more resistant to disease, tolerate some insect and drought damage, and will out compete many weeds.
• Raise mowing height. Mowing height affects water use! A higher mowing height deepens root systems, strengthens lawns, and reduces water needs.

Other Outdoor Water Saving Tips

• Adjust your sprinkler heads so you are only watering landscape areas not the road or sidewalk.
• Use a hose nozzle when washing your car or for hand watering plants. A hose left running as you wash a car wastes up to 15 gallons a minute. Consider washing your car on the lawn.
• Use 3 to 5 inches of organic mulch around trees and plants to reduce weeds and prevent water loss. If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
• Consider hand watering landscape and garden areas using a hose and nozzle or a watering can.
• Clean sidewalks and driveways with a broom rather than a hose.