Rising temperatures often coincide with rising outdoor water use, making efficient water consumption essential in the desert – a location where every drop counts.
Water waste tends to stem from overwatering, inefficient sprinklers, old irrigation systems, poorly designed landscapes, and water-thirsty plants. With about 75 percent of the water in the Coachella Valley used outdoors, it is important to be mindful about how our most precious resource is used.
Here are some tips to help you reduce your water usage outside and practice conservation:
• Equip hoses with shut-off nozzles.
• Review your irrigation timer for unnecessary run times.
• Place mulch throughout your garden to reduce evaporation.
• Utilize a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalks.
• Set your lawn mower to a higher setting, as longer grass keeps soil moist.
• Use drip irrigation on trees and shrubs, which delivers directly to plant roots.
• Adjust sprinklers to prevent overspray and runoff onto the street or sidewalk.
• Look for clogged nozzles and inspect sprinkler heads to ensure they spray properly.
• Create a water-efficient landscape by including desert- friendly plants in your yard.
• Find and fix irrigation and pool leaks quickly, and check for outdoor leaks in pipes, hoses, and faucets.
• Water your lawn in the early morning or evening when there is less wind and temperatures are cooler to avoid evaporation.
CVWD also offers rebate incentives to help customers reduce their water usage. Visit cvwd.org/rebates to view program details and eligibility requirements, or to apply for rebates online. Some programs require pre-approval and self-installation.
By being proactive and implementing these tips this season, you can significantly reduce your outdoor water usage and contribute to a more sustainable future within the community.
To learn more water-wise tips, visit cvwd.org/waterwise.
