Water Conservation Tips

Water Conservation Tips

Current research shows that 50% of the water used by most households goes to maintaining lawns and landscaping? You can help reduce your outdoor water usage, keep your landscape more healthy and attractive, and keep your water bills low by following these tips:

1A sound system Ensure that your irrigation system is fully functional. Periodically, inspect the system for any broken sprinklers, broken pipes, and poorly adjusted nozzles. The sprinklers should not be spraying directly on your house, fence or into the street.

2Not all plants are alike Some plants require more water than others. Annual flowers may need to be irrigated up to 4 or 5 times a week, whereas a lawn can tolerate being watered 2-3 times a week. Shrubs, trees and some ground cover use even less water than turf.

3Cycle and soak The biggest waste of water is caused by running the timer for one, long cycle. Instead of absorbing into the soil, the water runs off your lawn and flower beds and into the storm drain. This is especially true with the clay soils that are prevalent in the Bay Area. The best solution is to break up the irrigation cycle into a couple shorter cycles. This allows the water time to soak into the soil and get to where to plant roots are.

4Watch the weather With increases in temperature and wind and decreases in rainfall and humidity, plants require more water. Adjust the run times to apply less water in the spring and fall and more water during the heat of the summer. Adjust the timer to water only when your lawn, shrubs, and flower beds need it. Finally, to prevent your irrigation system from running while it rains, install a rain gauge that will shut off the irrigation system when it is raining.

5How SMART is your timer? Install a SMART timer. SMART Timers are irrigation controllers that have weather sensors and use advanced technology to water only when your plants need it.
Del Conte’s Landscaping is uniquely positioned through its own research & development programs to provide the most advance, reliable and cost effective controllers in the industry