Tips to Keep Your Landscape Water Smart

AS SPRING HAS SPRUNG in Southern Nevada, the change of seasons provides an ideal opportunity to make sure your landscape is getting just the right amount of water it needs to stay vibrant and healthy—and is not being overwatered.

Because spray irrigated grass and drip irrigated plants and trees have different watering requirements, there is no one-size fits all approach to landscape watering. Rather, by following these guidelines, you can boost your landscape’s overall health and save water at the same time.

· Water grass (sprinklers) for a recommended 12 minute total per assigned watering day.

· Plants and trees (drip) require much less water than grass (usually only one to two days per week in spring is all they need). In addition, spring seasonal watering restrictions are in effect now through April 30. The spring restrictions limit landscape watering to up to three assigned days per week (Sunday watering is prohibited all year). You can increase your water savings without harming your landscape by “ramping up” irrigation schedules, adding the second and third watering days only as temperatures warm up and weather patterns permit. To find your assigned watering days, visit snwa.com.

You can save even more water—and lower your monthly water bills—by converting your grass to water-efficient plants and trees through the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s (SNWA) Water Smart Landscapes Rebate Program (WSL). Through WSL, the SNWA offers a cash incentive of up to $3 for each square foot of grass you upgrade to drip-irrigated landscaping. The water savings you’ll realize will add up, as each square foot of your new landscaping uses 55 fewer gallons of water per year than a square foot of grass.

By following the seasonal restrictions and replacing grass with drip-irrigated landscaping, you’ll be doing your part to help Southern Nevada conserve its limited water resource. For more information on water conservation programs, visit snwa.com.