As building owners and managers seek to control costs and minimize the environmental impact of their facilities, wise water consumption inevitably becomes a consideration. Fresh water is a resource in limited supply and as the population of the intermountain west expands we find ourselves stretching farther and spending more to satisfy our thirst.

Facilities vary in their demand for water, but in most cases the landscape is the number one consumer. Recognizing this, an effective water management effort must not neglect the building's outdoor spaces. Minor adjustments and consistent attention can save millions of gallons annually and significantly reduce a facility's water bill. Wise managers would be well served to make sure that their landscape contractor is employing these practices:

9 Steps to Reduce Landscape Water Consumption

• Limit irrigation to the evening hours whenever possible. By watering between 6pm and 10am evaporative loss is minimized and water consumption can be reduced by as much as 17%.
• Give irrigation systems a seasonal tune up. Crooked heads, plugged nozzles and minor leaks create dry spots and extend the watering time of the entire system.

• Update components as improved products are available. New technology allows greater sophistication in water scheduling, monitoring and application. For example, many new timers are able to detect excessive flow caused by a leak and isolate the affected area.
• Maintain mulch in shrub and planting beds. Mulch is very effective at retain moisture in the soil around plants.
• Monitor landscape performance and make seasonal adjustments. Plant water requirements vary throughout the growing season and significant water savings are possible with consistent attention.
• Replace sprinkler heads with drip irrigation wherever possible. Well designed drip watering systems dramatically reduce evaporation and run-off. They also minimize dry spots by increasing irrigation uniformity.
• Invest in regular turf maintenance. Strong landscape management practices can reduce water consumption. For example, correctly fertilized grass requires less irrigation and aeration reduces wasteful run-off by allowing water to penetrate the soil.
• Take the time to understand what's unique about your landscape and adjust accordingly. Sun exposure, soil type, and plant material selection have a significant effect of the landscape's water requirements. Failing to account for these factors can lead to significant waste.
• Repair damaged components with matching parts. Significant consideration goes into irrigation design and care is required to keep a system running efficiently.

Useful Links:

Landscape Product Rebates

Real-Time Landscape Watering Information

Water Wise Plants for Utah Landscapes

Utah's Water Conservation Plan (Large PDF Download)

Landscaping Ideas for all Situations

Utah Water Conservation Ordinances

Bruce Reed is the Maintenance Division Manager at Intermountain Plantings. He is also a Certified Irrigation Auditor and EPA Water Sense Partner. He can be reached at (801)523-6100 or visit www.intermountainplantings.com