Water conservation is an issue that is typically overlooked in our everyday lives. While the earth is made up of nearly 70% water, only about 2.5% of it is fresh. When you think about all that water is used for- Consumption, plumbing, bathing, cleaning, irrigation, and more, this is a very small percentage. While there are many ways you can contribute to water conservation, efficient irrigation systems are where we place our focus.
In the peak months of summer, you may see your water bill starting to rise. Between the scorching hot temperatures and lack of rain, you’ve probably started to water your lawn more frequently. For this reason, the Irrigation Association chose July as “Smart Irrigation Month” to promote the social, economic, and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation systems. It’s important to remember, even in the heat, to still follow best practices for watering your lawn efficiently! Here are a few tips to remain eco-friendly, while keeping your lawn vivacious and green all summer!
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- Consider soil type– Depending on your type of soil, water will be absorbed at different speeds. Aim to soak your soil 6 inches into the ground, to reach a healthy grass root. Time how long this takes in your yard, and use this duration each time you water. If you’re overwatering for your soil type, this can cause runoff and therefore wastewater.
- Optimal location– Place your sprinkler in a place that it is only watering your lawn, plants, and greenery. Setting it up in an area that will water your driveway, cars, sidewalk, patio, or house, will waste a sufficient amount of water.
- Don’t overwater- Even when it hits extreme temperatures outside, be careful that you are not overwatering. Remember to saturate the roots, and give the soil time to dry. Overwatering can cause weed growth, disease, and fungus in your long.
- Timing is key– Watering early in the morning is always the best time to water. If you’re watering during the day, the heat could cause losses of up to 30 percent due to evaporation. Be sure to not waste water through evaporation, by setting your timer before the sun fully rises.
- Shorter periods of time- Not only does the time of day matter, but the length of time too. Soil needs time to absorb water, in order to not produce runoff. Therefore, it’s better to water for 5 minutes, 3 times, rather than 15 minutes at once. This gives the soil time to dry before completely saturating.
