WaterSmart™
Tips
Water Conservation
At Home, School and Work
As responsible citizens, it is our obligation to conserve and protect the planet’s precious water resources. By taking a proactive approach, to reducing water use outdoors, we can make a positive impact on the availability of this essential resource for current and future generations.
Water Consumption
Keep your yard from being a Water Guzzler
Water Only as Much as Your Plants Need
More plants die from overwatering than from underwatering. Click here for irrigation cycle tips.
Avoid over fertilizing
Use a minimum amount of fertilizer and follow manufacturer’s instruction. Over fertilizing adds to water pollution.
Remove water-loving turf grass
Replace with low water use landscape design. Consider adding drought-tolerant native plants.
When mowing the lawn, raise the blades to their highest level
Cutting grass too low makes the roots work harder, requiring more water.
More Tips on Reducing Water Use
- Equip fountains, ponds and other ornamental water features with recirculating pumps.
- Adjust sprinklers so only the landscape is watered and not the house, sidewalk or street.
- Weed yards and gardens regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for water.
- Group plants according to their water needs.
More Tips on Reducing Water Use
- Equip fountains, ponds and other ornamental water features with recirculating pumps.
- Adjust sprinklers so only the landscape is watered and not the house, sidewalk or street.
- Weed yards and gardens regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for water.
- Group plants according to their water needs.
Timing Is Everything
Be smart about when you water
Follow Time-of-Day Restrictions
Watering is allowed between the hours of 8 PM and 8 AM from April 15 to November 1. Prescott City Code 3-10-14
Let Soil Type and Weather Lead the Way
To keep water available to plants, clay and sandy soils require shorter irrigation cycles than rich loamy soils. Irrigation isn’t needed during and after rains. Install a weather-based controller to more easily use only the water your plants need.
Adjust watering schedules to the season
Work with nature and track how much rain and irrigation your yard receives. If it’s raining, there is no need to irrigate.
More on When to Water
- Don’t water on windy days
- Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours when temperatures are cooler.
Water Efficiency
Optimize Systems In Your Yard
Aerate lawns to better absorb water
Water only as rapidly as the soil can absorb the water.
Reduce evaporation
Assess your soil with a local nursery
Ammending soil can improve water absorption and holding capacity.
Repair leaks as necessary
Check all hoses, connectors, and spigots regularly.
More Efficiency Tips
- Install pressure regulated drip irrigation emitters and pump valves and high efficiency turf pop up spray nozzles to reduce water use by 10-25%.
- Regularly check sprinkler systems and timing devices to be sure they are operating properly.
- Shut off automatic watering systems when it rains or install a WaterSense certified Smart irrigation controller.
- Install gutters and direct downspouts toward shrubs or trees.
- Direct the bleed-off water from an evaporative cooler to trees or shrubs.
More Efficiency Tips
- Install pressure regulated drip irrigation emitters and pump valves and high efficiency turf pop up spray nozzles to reduce water use by 10-25%.
- Regularly check sprinkler systems and timing devices to be sure they are operating properly.
- Shut off automatic watering systems when it rains or install a WaterSense certified Smart irrigation controller.
- Install gutters and direct downspouts toward shrubs or trees.
- Direct the bleed-off water from an evaporative cooler to trees or shrubs.
Do Your Part
Be WaterSmart
Curious if your water conservation efforts pay off? View your eligibility for incentives and rebates below.