• The Governor has asked that everyone in the State refrain from watering during the hours of  10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and Provo Water Resources supports that request.  Watering in the heat of the day can lose 20% to 50% of water to evaporation and wind drifting. Watering when its cooler allows the water to penetrate to the root zone where it is most beneficial to the plant.
• Strive to apply ½” of water each time you water.  Deeper, less frequent watering is more beneficial to your lawn, creating deeper roots which are more drought resistant. To find out how much you are actually watering call toll free 1-877-SAVEH20 or 1-877-728-3420 for a free irrigation system water audit.  You can also use a soil probe or a screwdriver to see how far down the moisture is getting.  How far you can insert the probe after watering will give you an idea of how deep you are watering.
• Keep an eye on the weather.  Don’t water when the wind is blowing!  Don’t water in the rain!  To find out your lawn’s current water needs, go to www.conservewater.utah.gov and click on Real-Time Lawn Watering Guide and find Provo-BYU on the chart.  This will tell you how often you need to water based on up-to-date weather conditions. Try placing a rain gauge in your backyard to monitor rainfall and irrigation.
• Inspect your sprinkler system at the beginning of the season and frequently during the year, checking for leaks, broken or buried heads and proper coverage.  Make sure your sprinklers are positioned so water lands on the landscape, not on sidewalks, fences or pavement.
• Automatic sprinkler clocks can waste thousands of gallons.  “Set it and forget it” does not apply to proper irrigation.  Watering frequency not time – (remember ½” per watering) needs to change all season long as the weather changes.  Watering once every 3-4 days is the maximum that is necessary in the warmest months if you are watering properly. Consider installing a rain or moisture sensor or have a neighbor turn off the clock if it rains when you are away from home.
• Let your grass grow longer to maximize water retention and encourage the roots to grow deeper. Setting the blade height on your mower to 3 inches will shade the soil and prevent excess drying and evaporation. Make sure the blade on your mower is sharp to prevent tearing the grass making it look brown and dry.
• Water brown spots in your lawn with a hose instead of increasing the irrigation time on your timer.  Place children’s water toys or wash your pet on your dry spots.
• Consider planting drought-resistant trees, plants and lawn grass.  Participating nurseries display a yellow tag on water-wise plants.  For a list of native Utah plants which are naturally drought resistant go to www.unps.org or www.waterwiseplants.utah.gov .
• Investigate “Xeriscaping”.   Examples of Xeriscaping can be found in Provo at the Provo City Water Resources Building in East Bay and at the Provo City Library at Academy Square. The Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District has excellent Demonstration Garden full of great ideas located at 8215 South 1300 West in West Jordan.
• Use 3 to 4 inches of mulch around trees, plants, and shrubs to slow down evaporation, inhibit weed growth and retain soil moisture. Mulch is available from the South Utah Valley Solid Waste District at 1400 South Industrial Parkway as well at most home and garden centers.  Call 489-3027 for availability.
• REPAIR ALL LEAKS PROMTLY!
• Watch out for broken sprinklers, open hydrants, broken pipes and any other significant water losses in our community.  Notify the property owner or Provo Water Resources of the problem.

INDOOR WATER CONSERVATION TIPS

• Turn the water off when you brush your teeth, lather your hands or shave. 
• Try to limit your showers to 5 minutes or less. Regular shower heads use up to 9 gallons of water per minute.
• Use low-flow showerheads. Using a showerhead with a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute or less can save 40 - 50% more water than conventional showerheads.
• Replace your old toilets with ultra low-flow toilets. These newer toilet models use only 1.6 gallons per flush- a savings of up to 5 gallons per flush.  Put a plastic bottle filled with water or sand in your older toilet’s tank to reduce the amount of water used in each flush.
• Check your toilet for leaks.  Put dye tablets or food coloring in your toilet tank and wait to see if the color appears in the bowl without flushing.  If it does, you have a leak.
• Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the fridge. That way, you won't have to leave the tap running to get a cool, refreshing drink of water.
• Make sure the dishwasher is full before running it. Not only will this save water, but it will help save energy as well.
• When you buy new appliances, check for water and energy efficiency. The most effective water-efficient washing machines are an H-axis machine (one that loads from the front). 
• Be aware.  Listen for drips and leaks around the house.  REPAIR ALL LEAKS PROMPTLY. Even the smallest drip from a worn washer can waste 50 or more gallons of water a day.  Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons.
• Pay attention to your water bill and become familiar with your water meter.  You can use them to detect leaks and track your water use.
• Locate your master water shut-off valve so that if you have a water leak you can turn off the water quickly.

These are just a few ideas of some water saving tips you can easily use at home.  With very little effort, we can all pitch in to conserve water.

Water Resources
1377 South 350 East, Provo Utah  84606
(801) 852-6774
Office Hours 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
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