How To Use Less Outdoor Water In Gwinnett County

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — With roughly 50 percent of all water use outdoors wasted from evaporation, wind, or overwatering, there are many ways to save money through water conservation this summer. Gwinnett County has released the following tips every resident should follow:

• Keep it on the green. Watering the driveway, house, or sidewalk is a huge waste. Make sure your sprinklers are directed to apply water only to the landscape where it's needed. Keep water off solid surfaces.
• Don't overdo it. Did you know the typical homeowner overwaters by up to 30 percent? Established lawns and landscapes require only one inch of water per week to stay healthy. Tuna cans are generally one inch tall. Place these cans or other containers around your yard to learn how long it takes to water one inch.
• Timing is key. The Georgia Water Stewardship Act of 2010 allows landscape and lawn irrigation only before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., so be sure to set your system to water at the right time of day. By avoiding outdoor water use during the hottest part of the day, you will reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation. Also don't forget to turn your timer off and skip a watering cycle whenever you get enough rain to soak the soil. Only water when you need to.
• Consider the ultimate water saving method. Homeowners are increasingly deciding to leave their lawns dry instead of constantly watering. You can join the Society of Intentionally Dry Lawns and drastically decrease your water use by visiting www.mydropcounts.org/pledge-to-conserve.