Summer is a great time to rethink your outdoor watering plan. With a few small changes, you can keep your plants healthy and reduce your water costs at the same time. Smart irrigation systems, rain collection, landscape design, and leak detection can all reduce water waste and save you money on your water bills.

Irrigation controllers
Weather-based irrigation controllers save water by automatically adjusting your irrigation schedule based on local weather conditions and landscape needs. WBICs use weather data, such as temperature, rainfall, humidity and wind to determine the amount of water required for your landscape. Water savings could be up to 7,000 gallons of water annually.

Rain barrels
Rain barrels are storage tanks that collect water from the roof. Rain on the roof can be captured by rerouting your gutter’s downspout into a tank instead of going to the ground. Rain barrels have a spigot near the bottom of the tank that can be used to connect a hose or fill up a watering bucket for gardening. Rain barrels can save up to 2,200 gallons per year.

Landscape design
Turfgrass often requires a lot of water to thrive. Consider replacing it with native plants that require little or no extra water than when it rains. Replacing traditional lawns with a xeriscape can reduce outdoor water usage anywhere from 30% to 80%, saving thousands of gallons per year. Garden hose nozzles are another way to save thousands of gallons per year.

Check for leaks
Regularly check your sprinkler system and hoses for leaks. A single leak could lose several hundred gallons per day on a standard 15-minute timer.

For more information about water-efficient equipment and rebates available, visit the Board of Water Supply’s website.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY
Contact
808-237-6877
Email
watersensible@honeywell.com
Web
boardofwatersupply.com/residentialrebates

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