| 1. A 1/16th inch continuous leak can waste 300,000 gallons of water per year!1 | |
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• The EPA reports “the amount of water leaked from U.S. homes could exceed more than 1 trillion gallons per year. That's equivalent to the annual water use of Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami combined.”2 So bust out the pipe wrenches and the Teflon tape and get those leaks fixed. As they say, every drop counts. Do-it-yourself tips on repairing household leaks. • To see just how much water is lost from a simple dripping faucet check out this Water Calculator. |
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2. Kentucky Bluegrass needs 1.5 inches of water per week.3 |
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• In rainy weeks, you may not need to water as much. Use a Moisture Meter or trowel to check soil moisture before you water. Soil should be moist (reading of approximately 5 on Moisture Meter) 3-4” below the surface. Water only if needed. |
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3. Sprinklers deliver 0.5 to 2.5 inches of water per hour.4 |
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• It’s important to know how much water your sprinkler system is actually applying and how much water your soil needs. (1) Place several tuna cans or similar shaped container across your watering area. (2) Water for 30 minutes. (3) Measure the water collected in cans. Is it even across the area? Is it more or less than you expected? Adjust you watering schedule as needed. To keep soil moist to a depth of 6”, here are some general guidelines for watering: |
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4. Watering a 5x5 foot square of pavement for 6 months can waste 650 gallons of water.6 |
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Image source: EPA |
• Facts are facts, sidewalks and driveways just don’t need to be watered! Make sure the nozzles of your sprinkler heads are free of debris and pointed in the correct direction. Additionally, most sprinkler heads have internal filters that may need to be cleaned on occasion to ensure efficiency. |
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5. Every square foot of turf converted to drought-adapted plants saves up to 100% of the watering needs! |
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• If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Our local plants have had thousands of years to adapt to the dry climate of the western slopes so they are much better at surviving drought conditions. Additionally, they attract and support native wildlife and create an authentic Colorado look to your landscape. For suggestions of native plants, look for Low Moisture plants for various uses at these great Colorado State University Extension sites: Woody Plant Management During Drought and with Limited Water Availability in Colorado |
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Footnotes: 1 https://www.csu.org/pages/water-leaks.aspx |
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