Water Conservation Tips

Protect the Environment

Landscaping is an important part of any community, not only from the joy it brings, but the quality of life that it provides to humans and other species as well. Plants positively alter our environment, reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, protect the land, provide us food, create oxygen and sustain life. As our climate changes, we need to protect our plants, adapt to our changing environment and make choices that benefit us all and preserve our future.

The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) is pleased to offer some recommendations to help you make smart choices and protect the environment using your area's mandated water reductions. This advice can help your landscape survive this year's drought and help you prepare for predicted future water shortages.

  1. Maximize Landscape Watering
  2. Maximize Water
  3. Maximize Water Savings
  4. Prepare for a Drier Future
  5. Prepare for a Drought
  6. Water 1 to 2 Days a Week
  7. Watering Trees

Maximize Landscape Watering

  • Attach a water-efficient spray nozzle to your hose and use it to mist your lawn to build up humidity for a few minutes at the end of the day.
  • Check with your local water agency for possible rebates on low water usage irrigation products.
  • Start watering earlier and finish before 9 a.m.
  • Set your spray irrigation timer to run half the normal time and run a second cycle at least half an hour later. This will dramatically reduce runoff. Clay and other soils will only absorb so much water and anything beyond that point is wasted water. Average time should be 5 minutes or less per cycle on a level site.