Outdoor Water Conservation

Water is essential for human survival and well-being, and important to many sectors of the economy. While water used inside a home is for drinking, cooking and bathing, water usage outside of our homes for lawns and recreation is a precious resource. It's important that people remember to conserve water where they can to make this resource last for the future. 

General Outdoor Water Conservation Tips

• Use porous material for walkways and patios to prevent wasteful runoff and keep water in your yard.
• Collect water from your roof by installing gutters and downspouts. Direct the runoff to plants and trees.
• For automatic water savings, direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems to water-loving plants in your landscape.
• Hire a qualified pro to install your irrigation system and keep it working properly and efficiently.
• If walking across the lawn leaves footprints (blades don’t spring back up), then it is time to water.
• Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler output. 3/4 to 1 inch of water is enough to apply each time you irrigate.
• Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
• For more immediate hot water and energy savings, insulate hot water pipes.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water, or, wash your car on the lawn, and you’ll water your grass at the same time.
• Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You’ll save up to 100 gallons every time.
• Wash your pets outdoors, in an area of your lawn that needs water.
• When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your non-edible plants.
• When you give your pet fresh water, don’t throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
• Report broken pipes, leaky hydrants and errant sprinklers to property owners or to the Plainville Department of Public Works.
• Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. Were a pipe to burst, this could save gallons of water and prevent damage.

Lawn care

Maximize the use of natural vegetation and establish smaller lawns. For portions of your lot where a lawn and landscaping are desired, ask your local nursery for tips about plants and grasses with low water demand (such as creeping fescue). Consider planting more trees, shrubs, ground covers, and less grass. Shrubs and ground covers provide greenery for much of the year and usually demand less water. Use native plants in flower beds. Native plants have adapted to rainfall conditions in New England and often provide good wildlife habitat. Cluster plants that require extra care together to minimize time and save water.

• When mowing your lawn, set the mower blades to 2 to 3 inches high. Longer grass shades the soil improving moisture retention, has more leaf surface to take in sunlight, allowing it to grow thicker and develop a deeper root system. This helps grass survive drought, tolerate insect damage and fend off disease.
• Only water the lawn when necessary. If you water your lawn and garden, only do it once a week, if rainfall isn't sufficient. Avoid watering on windy and hot days. Water the lawn and garden in the morning or late in the evening to maximize the amount of water which reaches the plant roots (otherwise most of the water will evaporate). Use soaker hoses to water gardens and flower beds. If sprinklers are used, take care to be sure they don't water walkways and buildings. When you water, put down no more than 1 inch (set out a empty cans to determine how long it takes to water 1 inch) each week. This watering pattern will encourage more healthy, deep grass roots. Over-watering is wasteful, encourages fungal growth and disease, and results in the growth of shallow, compacted root systems that are more susceptible to drought and foot traffic. If an automatic lawn irrigation system is used, be sure it has been properly installed, is programmed to deliver the appropriate amount and rate of water, and has rain shut-off capability.
• Apply mulch around shrubs and flower beds to reduce evaporation, promote plant growth and control weeds.
• Add compost or an organic matter to soil as necessary, to improve soil conditions and water retention.
• Collect rainfall for irrigation in a screened container (to prevent mosquito larvae growth).
• Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while under watering others.
• Plant in the spring and fall, when the watering requirements are lower.
• Start a compost pile. Using compost in your garden or flower beds adds water-holding organic matter to the soil.
• Use a layer of organic mulch on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.
• Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants helps them retain moisture, saving water, time and money.
• Use 2 to 4 inches of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons of water a year.
• When washing a car, wet it quickly, then use a bucket of water to wash the car. Turn on the hose to final rinse (or let mother nature wash your car when it rains).
• Always use a broom to clean walkways, driveways, decks and porches, rather than hosing off these areas.
• Leave lawn clippings on your grass, this cools the ground and holds in moisture.
• Aerate your lawn periodically. Holes every six inches will allow water to reach the roots, rather than run off the surface.
• Avoid planting grass in areas that are hard to water, such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways.
• Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
• Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low-water-use plant and save up to 550 gallons each year.
• Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light and water.
• While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.

Septic System Use & Maintenance

• Have your septic system inspected by a professional at least every three years, and have the septic tank pumped as necessary (usually every three to five years).
• Flush responsibly. Flushing household chemicals like paint, pesticides, oil and antifreeze can destroy the biological treatment taking place in your system. Other items, such as diapers, paper towels and cat litter can clog the septic system and potentially damage components.