Just like that, July has arrived and everyone can officially be in that summer frame of mind.  July is usually the warmest month of the year, on average, which means a lot of sprinkler systems running.  With that in mind, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds people to use water wisely.

By reducing the amount of water used for things like sprinkler systems, you'll be conserving the groundwater the community depends on for basic necessities, like drinking water.  You'll also help the city save on water expenses, which tend to spike during the summer.

Here are some water conservation tips:

  • Check city ordinances to find out when lawn watering is allowed. Often, lawn watering is prohibited during the middle of the day or there may be a restriction on the days people may water.
  • Lawns only need about 1 inch of water per week, although this may vary depending on the soil. To figure out how long it takes for a sprinkler to provide one inch of water, set an empty tuna can in the yard and determine the amount of time it takes to fill up when watering the lawn. That is the amount of time to water the lawn each week, without rain.
  • If it rains, reduce watering appropriately. For automatic sprinkler systems, a new rain sensor can save 60 percent on water use. Since 2003, state law has required sensors that shut off sprinkler systems if it has rained recently. Replacing old spray heads with new precision spray nozzles can result in 30 percent water savings.

 

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