Aug. 22, 2006
Following a twice a week watering schedule will provide your landscape with adequate water through the summer and help efficiently manage our limited water supply. In addition to observing proper water days, time of day is another important consideration.
Water loss to evaporation can be very high during the heat of summer--according to some studies, as much as 40 percent. To minimize loss to evaporation, water when the sun is down and there is little wind. In general, LCRA recommends watering between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 a.m.
However, in the West Travis County area, water use peaks at 6 a.m. because many sprinkler systems and showers are operating simultaneously. Therefore, LCRA asks that you set your irrigation system to start around midnight. This will help ease pressure on the water treatment system, while making the most of the water that your sprinklers apply.
LCRA recommends the following watering schedule:
- Homes with addresses ending in an odd number: Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Homes with addresses ending in an even number: Thursdays and Sundays
- Common and commercial areas: Tuesdays and Fridays
Water between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. Set your system to start around midnight.
See Save Water section for tips, video how-tos and more. |
