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Water Planning

The Colorado River provides water to 1 million people in Central Texas and we’re the ones who must make it last. We’ve got a growing demand for water in Central Texas and the Hill Country, so extending our supply is more important than ever. Learn how to separate water facts from myths and you’ll not only raise your Water IQ, you’ll also help save water for the future.

Myth: If it rains, there is no need to save water.

Fact: Even when Central Texas and the Hill Country experience heavy, consistent rainfall, water remains a limited resource. Not only can — and does — Texas weather tend to turn on a dime, but it also tends toward hot, dry, drought-friendly conditions. It’s up to us to make our water source last.

Myth: It’s more effective to save water inside your home than to cut back on outdoor watering.

Fact: You can make the biggest difference saving water by reducing your use outdoors. Little things make a big difference. Check for leaks in taps, hoses and sprinkler heads. One slow drip can waste 20 gallons of water daily (7,000 gallons per year). Be sure to learn how to use your in-ground sprinkler system correctly. If it’s going to rain, just turn it off for the day, and turn it off completely during the winter. Check sprinkler systems frequently for directional aim and broken heads to prevent watering driveways, sidewalks and streets. Have a professional inspect your system annually for leaks.
Find out more: How to check for leaks | Tips for efficient landscape irrigation

Myth: Watering daily is the only way to maintain a healthy, green lawn.

Fact: During the summer, your lawn needs about an inch of water per week. Overwatering is bad for landscapes and can cause wasteful (and harmful) runoff. The runoff from overwatering can carry chemicals and fertilizer into the river, affecting the quality of your water supply. Overwatering can also kill your plants or result in weak root structure.

Myth: The best sprinklers shoot high, fine sprays, which mist your landscape without wasting water.

Fact: Exactly the opposite. The best sprinklers throw large drops of water low to the ground rather than misty sprays, which let water evaporate quickly. Try a pressure-regulated spray head, which keeps the pressure constant. Use soaker hoses rather than sprinklers to water trees, shrubs and beds more efficiently. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, you’ll really impress your neighbors by replacing your timer with an evapotranspiration (ET) controller. While traditional timers require manual adjustments every time the weather changes, these smart controllers monitor information about soil moisture, rain, wind and evaporation, so your system only waters when it’s truly needed. ET controllers use real-time data from local weather stations to make adjustments automatically and can reduce water use by about 30 percent.

Myth: Keep your lawn short. Shorter grass uses less water, so you don’t need to water as much.

Fact: Let your grass grow and raise your lawnmower blade to a height of at least 3 inches. A taller lawn will help shade your soil so it requires less water. When you let your grass grow taller, its roots grow deeper, and you’ll have a healthier lawn. And you’ll have more time for the family, golf or other fun outdoor pursuits.