Outdoor Water Saving Tips

In the Garden

Water in the early morning before the sun is overhead. In the summer, water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep roots. Turn your sprinkler system down in the fall, and off in the winter. Water landscaping no more than three days per week, if a water shortage emergency ordinance is in effect it may specify less days per week.
Use a cycle and soak method to prevent runoff: run the sprinkler for shorter intervals 2-3 times during the day instead of one long period.
Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering the sidewalk or driveway.
Install drip irrigation for shrubs, trees and gardens. Use mulch to retain soil moisture.
Reduce lawn areas and choose native and drought tolerant plants for your landscape.
Check out ACWD's sprinkler system checklist.
These tips and more are summarized on ACWD's Survival Tips For Your Landscaping flyer.
Consider re-using water from around the home to water landscape, such as warm up water from your shower, or consider installing a laundry to landscape system which uses graywater from your clothes washer to irrigate landscaping. Lightly used household water from clothes washing machines, showers, bathroom tubs, and bathroom sinks is also known as graywater. Check out ACWD's Graywater Frequently Asked Questions.