Outdoor Water Conservation

What about OUTDOOR Water Conservation? Here are a few tips:

Many people use several times as much water in the summer than they do in the winter. Most of this increase in water use may be attributed to lawn watering. Many people use far more water than needed when watering their lawn. By practicing wise water use, you can save water and still keep your lawn green and healthy. Here are some suggestions:

Lawns & Watering

• If you water your lawn, check the online irrigation recommendation to find out how much water you should apply each week. Applying more water than your plants need not only wastes water but it can wash away nutrients or soil amendments you have added. Deep soaks of about 1 inch once or twice a week are best. This practice encourages deep root growth, which promotes a healthy lawn. You can measure your watering by placing a cup within the range of the sprinkler; when it’s about an inch full, it’s time to turn off the sprinkler. For more information visit the Metro regional government: Simple Steps to a Healthy Lawn and Garden.
• Water only in the late evening or very early morning. These are the hours when the least water will be lost to evaporation. They are also the hours with the least wind so that your irrigation goes where you want! Early morning water is best because water washes bacteria and fungus spores off the plants.
• If you have clay soil (many people in Corvallis do) or live on a hill, break your irrigation session into cycles. This can help eliminate runoff and thus maximize the amount of water that goes into the soil.
• Depending on the type of grass in your lawn, allow it to grow taller in the summer – about 2½ to 3 inches. Taller grass blades provide shade to the roots and reduce water loss from evaporation. Aerating your lawn will help water reach the roots.
• Consider letting your lawn go dormant in the summer. You will only have to water it a couple times, and you won't have to mow as often. Your lawn will turn a golden color during the hot dormant season, but will return to an emerald green with the autumn rains. See A Golden Landscape for more information.
• Add water slowly to your vegetable garden, using a small droplet size. Large droplets tend to compact soil, making it difficult for roots to become well established. Most sprinklers are intended for lawns, not gardens, and tend to over apply water causing nutrients to be leached from the soil. Consider installing a drip system to slowly deliver water directly to individual plants.

Other Outdoor Water Conservation Tips

• When you wash your car, truck, boat, or other equipment, try using a bucket of soapy water and a hose with a shut-off nozzle. By reducing the amount of water used to wash the car, you will also reduce the amount of soapy rinse water going to storm drains and area streams.
• Clean gutters and downspouts by hand, instead of using a hose.
• Check all hoses, connectors and spigots regularly for leaks.
• Design a smart landscape. Choose native plants that use less water, and group together based on water needs to increase watering efficiency. See the Water Efficient Plant guide for suggestions. 
• See a list of tips on the Oregon Water Resources Department HERE