What is best practice for irrigating my lawn?

ACWD prohibits irrigation runoff so we recommend using a cycle and soak method when irrigating to avoid runoff. A cycle and soak method uses shorter, more frequent cycles of irrigation in one day versus one long runtime.

To determine the time you should water for a cycle and soak method, run your irrigation system until you start to see signs of runoff (e.g. water overflowing from landscape onto sidewalk). Then, turn off your irrigation and let the landscape soak for 1 hour and repeat the process 2-3 times. Note the time it takes to begin seeing runoff – anything applied beyond this time during a single watering event is wasted. 

Show All Answers

1. Does ACWD have enough water?
2. Is drought a result of climate change?
3. How do I take care of my trees?
4. I’m already saving water. What more can I do to conserve?
5. How long will the water shortage emergency last and restrictions remain in place?
6. What is best practice for irrigating my lawn?
7. I have noticed water waste occurring in my neighborhood, at work, etc. How do I report it?
8. What is the ban on non-functional turf for commercial, industrial, and institutional customers passed by the State of California?
9. What is "non-functional" turf?
10. How do you determine if turf is considered functional or non-functional?
11. Are there exemptions to the non-functional turf ban for commercial, industrial, or institutional properties or HOA common areas?
12. What are some recommended actions to reduce water use?
13. What recommendations does ACWD have for landscape irrigation during drought and beyond?
14. Do I need to let my lawn dry out during every period of drought?
15. Why is new development and construction allowed during droughts and even during water shortage emergencies?
16. I am interested in water conservation. What rebates does ACWD offer residential and commercial customers?
17. I want to put in a new lawn; if I do, will there be restrictions on how much I can water it?
18. Why doesn't your lawn removal rebate program cover artificial turf or concrete if replacing my lawn with these saves water?
19. What is ACWD doing to reduce its water use?
20. Why are some fire hydrants open with water discharging?
21. Why doesn't ACWD recapture the water discharged from fire hydrants in the Main Cleaning Program?
22. Does the State of California offer a lawn removal rebate program I can participate in?
23. Will you be raising your $2/square foot rebate amount for your lawn removal program?
24. Does ACWD offer rebates for removal of other types of landscape, like trees to prevent fire risk?
25. If my water supply is terminated, how can I restore it?