Energy Adviser: Watering lawn can be expensive

I know how to save electricity, but what can I do to reduce my water bill this summer?

Conserving water is as important as saving energy. You'll be helping both the environment and the family pocketbook, said Steve Prather, Clark Public Utilities water quality manager.

"Conserving water begins by being aware of where the water is being used, just like your energy use," he said. "During summer we tend to use a lot more water primarily outdoors, so start there."

Prather's No. 1 tip to consumers is to not overwater the lawn.

"Use enough water for healthy growth. Put a timer on the hose or set a kitchen timer if you don't have a timed irrigation system," he said.

More than 50 percent of residential lawn and plant water is lost to evaporation, runoff, overwatering or incorrect irrigation design or malfunctioning irrigation systems.

When watering, keep the water on the plants and lawn, not the driveway or sidewalk. Water when the wind is not blowing in the cool part of the day. Water only when needed; established lawns need only an inch of water each week.

Here are other outdoor water-saving tips:

— Use a broom, not the hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.

— Go to a car wash that recycles water. If you wash your car at home, use a hose with a shutoff nozzle.

— Place mulch around plants and trees to better retain moisture in the soil.

— Use native plants in landscaping and decrease the amount of lawn to water. Once established, these plants will require less water.

— Replace washers in leaking hoses.

— Turn off fountains and bubblers when away from home. You'll save water and electricity, too.

— Use a sprinkler with a low application rate (about one-third inch per hour) and check for even coverage.

— Install a rain barrel to use for watering plants or reroute rain runoff into planting beds.

If you have an irrigation system:

— Check and repair leaks.

— Adjust spray heads to make sure they're "on target."

— Adjust the automatic settings of irrigation systems for the current weather and time of year. You don't want to water the lawn during a summer rain. Better yet, install a moisture sensor to determine when to water.

— Install a drip irrigation system for a slow supply of water to plant roots.

For swimming pool and spa owners:

— Lower the pool water level to reduce the amount of water splashed out.

— Use a pool or spa cover to reduce evaporation.

— Install a water-saving pool filter.

— Check for and repair leaks around pumps.

The Energy Adviser is written by members of the energy counselor team of Clark Public Utilities, who provide conservation and energy use information to utility customers. Send questions to energyadviser@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA. 98668. A panel of local energy efficiency and energy product specialists will review your questions. Previous topics are available at www.clarkpublicutilities.com.