With the summer in full effect, it’s a good idea to refresh ourselves on local water restrictions. Many counties across Texas have either issued Stage 3 or Stage 4 water restrictions to residents. Water saving initiatives across local governments in Arizona have seen farmers use solar panels to shade crops and save water. While that might not be a practical solution for homeowners, there are several ways you can carefully monitor your water usage through careful inspection of your home and gardens.
Water Responsibly
At stage 3 Texas water restrictions, owners of single-family homes can only water using irrigation systems on designated dates weekly between 5 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. – 12 a.m. Per the San Antonio Water System website, Stage 4 water restrictions allow landscape watering once every other week. Follow local ordinances to determine appropriate water use for your property and find your designated watering days. While local governments might limit or ban a homeowner’s ability to irrigate using irrigation systems, homeowners should see if they can still hand water their lawn or gardens.
Double Check Your Irrigations System
Homeowners will want to inspect their watering system for leaks, as the potential overuse of water could impose a surcharge on homeowners whose use exceeds a designated amount. The easiest place to start looking for any hiccup in your irrigation system is the system controller. Make sure the controller is scheduled to only run your system during approved watering times. If part of the piping has begun leaking, contact a plumber to find the leak or use specialized tools to find it yourself.
Check Your Indoor Plumbing
Leaky sinks, hose valves, toilets, or showers could increase your monthly water bill. While the wasted water from a leaking appliance would usually be a small increase, anything that could bring homeowners closer to a potential threshold for a surcharge is something to be aware of. Be sure to double check any appliances for dripping or leaks. Homeowners can also hire a plumber to examine appliances for any unnoticeable leaks.
Change Up Your Garden
Water restrictions have been a reoccurring problem for quite some time now. To avoid the stress of worrying about whether your plants have a shot at making it through the summer heat without constantly being watered, homeowners should add some drought resistant plants into their garden as the season demands. Along with incorporating these plants, homeowners can also lay mulch along the base of trees and in-ground plants to the soil retain moisture. Homeowners should also search their garden for weeds regularly. These invasive plants could easily undo many of the steps taken to keep gardens alive if left unchecked.
Let Your Grass Grow
During the summer, you can use less water by allowing your grass to grow to three inches in length. This step is important for morning watering, as it will help shade the dirt and keep water from evaporating throughout the day.
Related: Tips for Maintaining a Lush Lawn All Summer Long
Pool Time
If you have a private pool in your backyard, make sure to keep it covered when not in use. Keeping a pool covered will help keep water from evaporating during the day. Make sure to monitor your pool’s water levels for any sign of a leak. The quicker you can detect and plug a leak, the less water you will have to keep pumping into the pool.
With these tips, you can avoid any potential surcharge to your water bill, while maintaining a vibrant garden and outdoor atmosphere around your home. For more helpful tips on managing your HOA community, but sure to visit our blog which features new content every month.
