Did you know your lawn only needs one inch of water a week — this includes rainfall!

Learn how long to water your lawn:

1. Set out 5 tuna cans (or something similar) at various places on your lawn within your sprinkler’s range. Place cans halfway between the sprinkler and in the areas that generally receive the least amount of sprinkler water.
2. Turn on your sprinklers for exactly 15 minutes.
3. Measure the depth of the water in each can. Add the numbers and divide by 5 to get the average water depth (in inches) of all the cans.
4. Check the chart and locate your average water depth. The box to the right of that number lists your total weekly watering time.

Watering at the Best Time
Heat and wind cause water to evaporate more quickly. By watering early in the morning, when the air is calm, evaporation is kept to a minimum, and results are the best. Watering in the evening is next best.

Getting Rid of Puddles and Runoff
If water puddles or runs off to another part of the landscape, the soil may have a high clay content. Reduce watering time to avoid runoff.

In any case, watering for shorter periods over a longer total time will give the best results. Consider installing a timer at the outdoor faucet to make this an easier job.

If there are still problems getting water to penetrate the soil, the lawn may need to be aerated or thatched. Yard and garden centers in many areas carry the right tools for this job, as do many equipment rental companies.

Ideas for Indoor Water Conservation

Bathroom

• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
• Take shorter showers. We recommend no more than five minutes.
• Take shallow baths - fill the tub half-full or less.
• Try a navy shower. Due to limited water on ships, sailors are taught to get wet, turn off the water, soap and scrub, then briefly turn the water on to rinse.
• Do not use the toilet as a wastebasket.
• When shaving, rinse razors with a short burst of water, or by using a partially filled sink.
• While waiting for the water to get hot for a shower or bath, fill a bucket and use the water for houseplants or on your landscape.
• Check faucets, pipes, and toilets for leaks once a year. A faucet drip or invisible leak in a toilet can add up to over 100 gallons per week.
• Replace old toilets with a 1.28 gallon per flush high efficiency toilets. Older toilets use can use 3.5 or more gallons per flush.

Kitchen

• Run full loads of dishes in the dishwasher. Use the shortest running cycle needed for each load of dishes.
• Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator for drinking instead of waiting for the water from the tap to get cold.
• Do not use water to defrost frozen foods. Use your microwave’s defrost function or put it in the fridge the night before you prepare your meal.
• Use the garbage disposal less and the wastebasket and/or compost more.
• While hand washing dishes, use as little dish soap as possible to minimize rinsing.

Whole Household

• Install 1.0 gallon per minute aerators in your bathroom faucets and 1.5 aerators in your kitchen faucets.
• Insulate your water pipes. This can help prevent frozen pipes that can crack from water expanding inside them.
• Encourage children to save water. Avoid the purchase of recreational toys that require a constant stream of water. 

Ideas for Outdoor Water Conservation

General

• Visit a car wash that recycles their water.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean the driveway and sidewalk.
• Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
• Report all significant water losses (broken pipes, open hydrants, errant sprinklers, etc) to the property owner or local authorities.

Irrigation Systems

• Adjust sprinklers to water the lawn, not driveways and sidewalks.
• Use a timer when watering with a hose.
• Add a rain sensor to your automatic system.
• Keep irrigation systems running efficiently - repair, replace or adjust sprinkler heads, and check the system for leaks.
• Use drip irrigation in your planted beds and gardens.

In Your Yard

• Water your lawn before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to reduce evaporation.
• Use mulch in the garden and around shrubs to save moisture.
• Collect and use rainwater for watering your garden.
• Plant native plants and trees.
• Direct downspouts toward shrubs or trees.
• When mowing your lawn, allow clippings to remain on the lawn. This slows evaporation and can save two to three applications of fertilizer per growing season.
• Apply water slowly so the soil can absorb it without running off.
• Aerate your lawn to loosen soil and reduce erosion.

To encourage water wise practices both inside and outside the home, Tigard Water Service Area residents can request FREE indoor/outdoor water conservation kits. To receive a kit, please stop by the Public Works Building located at 8777 SW Burnham, Tigard, OR 97223 (Mon-Thurs: 8 AM - 5 PM).

Indoor items

• Five minute shower timer
• Shower head
• Aerators for the kitchen and bathroom
• Teflon tape
• Leak detection tablets
• Fill cycle diverter for toilets
• Informational brochures

Outdoor items

• Low-flow hose nozzle
• Set of watering gauges
• Water wise wildflower seeds
• Informational brochures