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Tips for Saving Water Outdoors

May contain: garden, nature, outdoors, gardening, fountain, water, architecture, indoors, herbal, plant, herbs, and vegetation
  • Try planting drought-tolerant and regionally adapted plants in areas that are hard to water or that receive little use. This may include narrow strips near sidewalks or driveways and steep hills.
  • Cover pools and spas to avoid evaporation.
  • Sweep your driveways and sidewalks with a broom instead of spraying them off with a hose.
  • Check outdoor faucets, pipes, hoses and pools for leaks.
  • Change your lawn mower to a 3-inch clipping height and try not to cut off more than one-third of the grass height when you mow.
  • Consider replacing infrequently used lawn areas with low-water use plants or ground covers.
  • Apply as little fertilizer to your lawn as possible. Applying excess fertilizer increases water consumption and actually creates more mowing for you! Use iron-based fertilizers to simply “green-up” your lawn instead.
  • Recycle and reuse the water in fountains and other ornamental water fixtures.
  • Check the level in your pool using a grease pencil. Your pool shouldn’t lose more than ¼ inch each day. If it is losing more than this, check elsewhere for leaks.
  • Avoid bursting or freezing pipes by winterizing your outdoor spigots.
  • Use a bucket of soapy water to wash your car, or simply place a shut-off nozzle on the end of your hose.