Tips for Even Better Water Efficiency This Summer
By Traci Peterson
Posted on June 14, 2017, June 14, 2017

 This Summer

Summer is here and some Arlington residents may be wondering when it's time to flip on the sprinklers. One easy answer - not from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Watering in Arlington isn't restricted by days of the week, but city ordinance does prohibit irrigation from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Exceptions are made for hand watering and the use of soaker hoses.

Irrigating in the morning or evening is more efficient - and less costly - because less water is wasted through evaporation. Violations of watering hours restrictions can be reported through the city's app, Ask Arlington, and online at www.arlingtontx.gov/contact.

More information about irrigation ordinances in Arlington is available at www.SaveArlingtonWater.com. In addition, Tarrant Regional Water District's Water is Awesome campaign offers these tips for even better water efficiency this summer:

  • Twice a week or less. If you're watering more than two days a week, you're watering too much.
  • Cycle and soak to avoid runoff. Irrigate in shorter bursts to give water a chance to soak in, and allow 30 minutes or more between cycles.
  • Tune up your irrigation systems. Fix leaks or damaged sprinkler heads and make sure they're aimed at the landscape, not the street or sidewalk.
  • Give your sprinkler a rest on windy days. There are certain things to avoid doing on windy days. Watering your lawn is one of them.
  • Rain and freeze sensors are water savers. They trigger automatic systems to shut off during downpours or when temperatures dip near freezing. And they could reduce your outdoor use by 5-10 percent.
  • Smart controllers know when to say when. They are like irrigation clocks that automatically adjust run times in response to weather conditions.
  • Water by the drop. Use drip irrigation for trees, shrubs, and flowerbeds. Drip systems put water in the root zone - that's right where the plants need it. And adapters make it easy to convert from spray to drip.
  • Replace that thirsty turf. Grass is great for play spaces, but do we really need so much? Replace those little-used areas of your lawn with other types of landscaping or water stingy plants.
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