Smarter Ways to Water Your Lawn

A single irrigation of an average yard typically consumes 2,000 to 3,000 gallons of water. You can reduce that amount, save money, and achieve a healthier and more environmentally friendly lawn by following these steps.

Get an Irrigation System Audit

If your lawn has a patch that’s perpetually wet, or if you’re watering the side of your house, your driveway or the street, you know you’re wasting water. But if you’re depending on an automatic irrigation controller or haven’t had your system checked in a while, get a professional audit. Some people find they use an average of 35% less water after an audit, just by amending the irrigation schedule and repairing broken spray heads or other components that may have been leaking.

Add Water Conservation Devices

At a minimum, you should have a rain sensor ($50 to $75, plus installation), which turns off your irrigation system when it’s raining. Even better is a smart controller (about $300 or more, plus installation). It automatically adjusts the watering schedule based on real-time environmental data or historical data for your region. It can reduce water use by a third, but you may still be overwatering, given that most plants are healthier when slightly drought-stressed.

Use Drip or Micro Irrigation

This is highly recommended for trees, shrubs and planting beds. Spray irrigation set to provide enough water for turf usually ends up putting too much water on everything else. Plus, because drip or micro irrigation uses low pressure and is close to the ground, the water goes straight to the roots. Homeowners usually can recoup the cost via lower water bills over two to three seasons.

Everyone wants a nice looking lawn during the summer, but making sure your irrigation system is running properly can save you a lot on your water bill.