Please remember that Water Conservation requires an ongoing effort to be successful. Reduced water bills and a more beautiful garden may reward your conservation efforts.

Here are a few suggestions regarding some basic water conservation measures.

Tips for Water Conservation Outdoors

Typically, in Tracy, irrigation accounts for 70 to 75 percent of a homeowner's water consumption. Thus, by following the suggested water conservation tips for landscaped areas, one can realize significant water savings.

• Tracy's has an adobe or clay type soil. Adobe or clay type soil does not readily absorb water. Therefore, long water cycles (more than five minutes) tend to waste water because much of the water runs off the lawn and into the gutter.
• Early morning watering is ideal when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest. Mid-day watering, in hot weather wastes water due to high evaporation rates.
• Check your sprinkler system weekly to guard against misdirected or broken sprinklers. Position the sprinklers to water your lawn and shrubs and not paved areas.
• Water your lawn only when it needs it. Monitor your irrigation schedule if you have an automatic timer. Adjust or deactivate your sprinklers accordingly, as needs change.
• Use native or drought tolerant plants.
• Mow higher. Let the lawn grow to a height of two to three inches. Longer blades of grass cool the surface and reduce evaporation.
• Aerate your lawn by punching holes in the turfed areas. This allows for better water absorption by the root system, and encourages deeper root growth.

The Following Water Conservation Measures are highly recommended:

• (October 1 – April 30): Lawn or landscape watering may be done on any day, but should not be between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
• (May 1 – September 30): Lawn or landscape watering may be done on any day, but should not be between the hours of 9:00 am and 7:00 pm. Watering with a hose at any time should be monitored and should only be done with a hand held nozzle attached to prevent water waste.

Flagrant water waste or excessive runoff is not permitted. Flagrant water waste or excessive water runoff means any water which flows directly from a tap connected to the City water system that leaves the property of origin in a continuous flow of any dimension for 150 feet from the property, or for more than five (5) minutes in duration.

Other outdoor water uses

• Sweep rather than wash sidewalks and driveways.
• Use an auto-shutoff spray nozzle while washing your automobile or watering your garden.

Leaks

• Leaks sometimes go undetected, but they can be the biggest cause of wasted water.
• A toilet left running may use up to 50 to 100 gallons per day.
• To check for a toilet leak, put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the food coloring appears in the bowl, you have a toilet leak.
• Repair all leaks.

Indoor water use

• Install a low-flow showerhead.
• Turn off the water while shaving or brushing your teeth.
• Run full loads in dishwashers and washing machines.
• Install faucet aerators. These inexpensive devices can reduce water use up to 60 percent, while maintaining a strong flow.

Please use water wisely, as water is a limited resource!