By watering your landscape efficiently, you can use water wisely and also reduce your summertime water bill. Here are practical tips on how to keep your lawn green and conserve water:

• Water Early: To reduce evaporation, water during the cool part of the day. Do not water areas that are in full sun. You can follow shady areas around your house or yard as the sun moves.


• Deep Soak Your Lawn: Turf grasses prefer to be watered to the depth of their roots (about 3 - 4 inches below soil level) once or twice per week. Don't water every day. Stick a screwdriver into the soil; if it offers little resistance, the soil has adequate moisture. Daily shallow watering encourages a shallow root system which makes grass less tolerant of heat and drought.


• Set Your Mower to the Highest Setting: Especially when it's hot, most turf grasses should be kept between 3 and 4 inches long. Longer grass provides better shade for the soil and roots and helps to hold the moisture in the soil.


• Prevent Runoff: Water that runs off into the street or storm sewer is wasted water. If you are trying to water on a slope, stop as soon as it begins to run off. Wait several hours before trying to apply additional water. Aerating your lawn will help water soak in by loosening the soil and reducing compaction.


• Don't Water Pavement: Water on driveways, sidewalks or in the street is water wasted. The water we use outdoors is the same clean water we use for drinking. The water we waste today may be the water future residents need for basic uses like drinking and cooking.


• Reduce Evaporation: Sprinklers which spray a fine mist result in excessive evaporation. Watering during the heat of the day or in direct sun will also cause more water to escape to the air. Avoid watering on windy days.


• Adjust Your Watering Schedule: The amount of water your yard requires varies with temperature, rainfall, humidity and the types of plants you are watering. Trees, shrubs, and well-mulched perennials require less frequent watering than turfgrass.


• Measure Sprinkler Output: Gauge your sprinkler output by placing several cans or rain gauges throughout the sprinkler pattern. Most turfgrasses require only one inch of water per week.


• Use a Timer: There are several types of timers available for those using a hose and sprinkler. The timer attaches to the faucet and can be set for varying lengths of time. Using a timer means you won't have to worry about "forgetting" to turn off the water.


• Adjust Your Sprinkler System: Underground systems should be adjusted to accommodate changes in seasonal water demand. Semi-automatic systems require periodic checks. Become familiar with your system and how to adjust it.


• Know Your Soil Type (before you water): Water run-off means that the soil is unable to absorb water as fast as it is being applied.


• Xeriscape: Xeriscape (not "Zero-scape") simply means landscaping that requires very little water. While this sometimes does refer to rocks and cacti, many lush and beautiful plants also can be drought tolerant. Some of these plants are native to our area, while many more derive from other parts of the world. Several lawn varieties are also available that require as little as one-tenth the water that bluegrass needs.


• Water is Not Limitless: There is a finite amount of water on our planet. Less than one percent (1%) of that water is suitable for drinking (potable water). All of the water we use daily in our homes, at work, and on our yards is from this potable water supply. Most of our local water is pumped from a deep underground aquifer (the Grande Ronde), but water levels in these wells have declined steadily since the first wells were drilled over 100 years ago. We are fortunate to have a fine water source - let's keep it in good shape for the future!


• Saving Water Saves You Money: Local water usage can double or even triple in the summer due to outside watering use. You can reduce your summertime bill by watering wisely outdoors.