The EPA's WaterSense program offers these tips for smart watering:
Don't overwater. Learn plants' water needs and water appropriately.
If you step on your lawn and the grass springs back, it does not need to be watered. Watering plants too much and too frequently results in shallow roots, weed growth, disease, fungus, and stormwater runoff. Water your trees and shrubs, which have deep root systems, longer and less frequently than shallow-rooted plants. Check with your Cooperative Extension Service
or water utility for advice on watering needs in your area.
or water utility for advice on watering needs in your area.
Water when the time is right.
The best time to water is in the early morning (4 to 7am)—to reduce evaporation—when the sun is low or down, winds are calm, and temperatures are cool. You can lose as much as 30 percent of water to evaporation by watering midday.
Save it from a rainy day.
Saving water from storms is a great way to supplement efficiency measures. Rain barrels or cisterns can be used to harvest rain water for irrigation and other outdoor water uses.
Be creative with alternative water sources.
Use water from the air conditioning condenser, dehumidifier, bath, or sink on plants or in the garden. When using household wastewater, be careful not to use water that contains bleach, automatic-dishwashing detergent or fabric softener. Use properly treated wastewater for irrigation where available.
Sweep driveways, sidewalks and steps rather than hosing them off.
Check your garden hose for leaks at its connection to the spigot. If it leaks while you run your hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
The City of Sandy offers rain barrels that are reclaimed from the barrels used to hold the chemicals that are added to our drinking water to residents of the City. The barrels are triple-washed, and come with the connectors necessary for hose adaptors and to collect the water from your downspout. These are offered annually at the SOLVE-IT in Sandy event in April, but put your name on the list now by e-mailing Utilities
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