Regional Water Providers Consortium
The Regional Water Providers Consortium is a group of 24 water providers and Metro that serves Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Since 1996, the Consortium has been working to develop and implement regional water-conservation programs that help educate the public about water-related issues.
You can turn to the Consortium for a variety of tips and tools that will help you conserve water.
The Consortium’s website, www.conserveh2o.org, provides a wealth of information, including tips for planting and caring for your lawn, choosing an irrigation system, and keeping your soil healthy so it retains water. All materials can be downloaded from the Consortium’s website.
The Weekly Watering Number is posted on the Consortium’s website. Established lawns need an average of 1” of water a week to stay healthy. The Weekly Water Number shows the amount of water, in inches, that you need to water your lawn in a given week, based on local weather conditions. You can even sign up to receive the Weekly Watering Number by e-mail.
Summer events held at local garden centers are opportunities to get information about outdoor water conservation and talk to water-conservation experts. The Consortium also gives out free outdoor watering gauges at these events (listed on the “Calendar” page of the Consortium’s website.) The watering gauges help you determine how long to run your sprinklers so that your lawn receives a total 1” of water weekly. Local water providers also are giving out the watering gauges. A list of area water providers is also on the consortium’s website.
Calculate your water-use footprint by using the calculator provided on the Consortium’s website. You’ll find out how your household’s water use compares to the average, and find ways to reduce it.
Sign up on the Consortium’s website for a quarterly newsletter that will keep you up-to-date on water-saving tips and local events.
For more information, visit www.conserveh2o.org.
A lawn can be a serene oasis, an open expanse where kids can play and pets romp. But lawns are also thirsty, using more than double the amount of water as other plants in a landscape. Research also indicates that lawn watering typically results in as much as 50% of the water being wasted. This is the result of evaporation, runoff, over-watering, and sprinklers overshooting the lawn and hitting sidewalks and streets instead.
By making a few changes to your watering routine, you can reduce your water usage, lower your water bill, and improve the health of your lawn.
A healthy lawn retains water
Fertilizing and aerating your lawn are two ways to help your lawn make efficient use of the water you put on it.
When soil is compacted, water runs off during irrigation. By aerating your lawn in the spring or fall (both if you can,) you’ll help your lawn retain water. Aeration helps the water sink down in the soil, bringing nutrients and moisture to roots. You can either leave the holes or fill them with a soil mixture that is lighter (more sandy) than your current soil. You can rent or buy aeration tools from a local nursery.
Roots that are healthy and deep help your lawn retain water. One way to encourage good root growth is to fertilize. You can use organic fertilizers like compost and compost tea, which are non-toxic methods of adding nutrients to your soil. If you use chemical fertilizers, be sure to read and follow the instructions on the box to decrease the chance of chemicals running off into groundwater and storm drains. It’s also a good idea to talk with a landscape expert or the knowledgeable staff at your local garden center to learn more about proper lawn care.
How much water is enough?
Established lawns need about 1” of water a week, whether it’s from rain or your sprinkler, or a combination of the two. Since the amount of water available naturally to your lawn varies throughout the year, you can fine-tune your lawn watering by checking the Weekly Watering schedule (see sidebar.)
So, how do you make sure your lawn is getting 1” of water per week? A helpful tool is a watering gauge, available this summer at local nursery events sponsored by the Regional Water Providers Consortium. The gauge measures the amount of water coming from your sprinkler over a set period of time. These are available at several events throughout the summer or through your local water provider. Visit www.conserveh2o.org for event details.
Learn more about water-efficient lawns
You can learn more about lawn care — including how to prepare the soil and decide what kind of grass to plant — in the “Planting and Maintaining your Lawn” booklet, available from the Regional Water Providers Consortium. The Consortium offers a variety of water-conservation resources for both inside the home and outdoors.
About the Consortium
The Regional Water Providers Consortium is a group of 24 water providers and Metro that serves Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. The Consortium is committed to developing and implementing regional water conservation programs that help educate the public about water-related issues.
Lindsey Berman is the Conservation Program Manager for the Regional Water Providers Consortium.
