Water Conservation

There are many advantages to water conservation efforts:

• To have water available when you need/want it
• Improve reliability of the existing water supply system
• Reduce overall operating costs for the water district, ultimately lowering (or not increasing) costs for customer users
• Postpone the need for new or expanded water supplies, storage capacity, treatment works, increased taxes or rates, or drainage remediation;
• Result in higher crop yields and yards that help sustain good water usage habits;
• Reduce soil erosion and drainage issues;
• Reduce the impacts of drought; and,
• Under some circumstances, yield conserved water for additional agricultural, urban, or environmental need.

There are many ways to conserve water, including:

Lawn Watering System Controls: The easiest way is to just water less (better yet, get rid of your lawn). Stop thinking of it as "watering your lawn", and start thinking of it as "filling the soil reservoir".  Envision your yard as soil reservoir, and them imagine your water efforts similar to filling a gas tank. Beginning with a full soil reservoir, we "drive" the lawn (through weather) and thus expend "fuel" (water). After 1/2-inch of your "fuel" is depleted, then it is time to top-off the tank - ie water your lawn. There are many irrigation techniques and new water technology that can aid you with minimizing water usage.

Governmental Water Check and Assessment: Many water districts and local governments offer a free water check assessment. Typically, a water check analyzes the efficiency of your automated sprinkler system. Often a horticulture intern or irrigation specialist will perform the water check at your home or business and provide you with a customized watering schedule as well as suggestions on plant types to include or remove. The water usage tests that will be performed include soil type, grass root depth, sprinkler distribution uniformity and water pressure.

Using Native Water-Wise Plants: Native plants already know how to use the amount of rain that is available in your specific area. Simply going to your local garden store will often be the way to find which plants you should be using in your garden.

Government Utility Rebates: Some utilities (in Nevada) will actually pay you money to remove your grass lawn. Others will pay for irrigation systems, moisture sensors, drip systems, etc. Check with your local water district for more details.

Rainwater Harvesting: A potential way homeowners, businesses, condos and apartment buildings can conserve water, is to collect and store rainwater. Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) can help supplement water supplies, minimize environmental damage by diminishing runoff, and can help restore post-development runoff back to pre-development conditions. The easiest way to accomplish this is to utilize rain barrels. The rules vary by state as to what you can and can not do, so be sure to check with your governmental water authority.