WATER CONSERVATION TIPS FOR OUTDOORS

Plant drought-resistant trees and plants.
There are many beautiful trees and plants that thrive with far less watering than other species. Check your local nursery.

Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants.
A layer of mulch will slow the evaporation of moisture.

Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks and steps.
Using a hose to push around a few leaves and scraps of paper can waste hundreds and hundreds of gallons of water.

Don't run the hose while washing your car.
Install a shut off nozzle on your hose. Soap down your car with a pail of soapy water. Then use a hose just to rinse it off.

Water your lawn only when it needs it.
You don't have to water on a set schedule. Watering frequently can be very harmful and can actually damage your lawn. A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on some grass. If it springs back up, you don't need to water. If it stays flat, it's time to water.

Deep-soak your lawn.
Don't sprinkle. A good soaking gets to the "root" of the problem by encouraging deep, solid root growth.

Water during the cool parts of the day.
Early morning is better than dusk since it helps prevent the growth of fungus.

Properly position your sprinklers.
Direct the spray in such a way that water lands on your lawn or garden, not on concrete, where it does no good. Avoid watering on windy days when much of your water may be carried off before it ever hits the ground.

Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings.
Even a small drip can waste 50 or more gallons of water a day. Larger leaks can waste thousands of gallons.