Austin Water is encouraging residents to adopt water-efficient practices, particularly in lawn irrigation, to ensure a reliable water supply for the region. Kevin Kluge, water conservation division manager at Austin Water, emphasized the importance of long-term conservation efforts.
Water-Efficient Landscaping
One of the most effective ways to reduce water consumption is by choosing plants that are well-suited to Central Texas conditions. Native and adaptive plants require less supplemental watering once established and can better handle the region’s heat and drought conditions. Resources like the Grow Green Guide and landscape design templates from local conservation programs can help homeowners select appropriate plants and create attractive, water-wise landscapes.
Hand watering and hose-end watering are also effective options, as they allow homeowners to apply water exactly where it is needed, reducing waste. Additionally, proper maintenance and programming of automatic irrigation systems can significantly improve efficiency.
Automatic Irrigation Systems
For homeowners who use automatic irrigation systems, scheduling an annual irrigation system checkup with a licensed irrigator can help identify leaks, broken sprinkler heads, and other issues before they result in months of wasted water. Understanding and adjusting irrigation controllers to match the city’s year-round watering schedule can also prevent unnecessary water use.
Austin’s year-round watering schedule allows customers with automatic irrigation systems to water one day per week, based on their address. New homeowners should pay special attention to their irrigation settings, as systems may have been programmed by builders or landscapers to water more frequently while newly installed plants become established.
Technology and Rebates
Austin Water’s My ATX Water portal provides customers with greater visibility into their water consumption through smart meter technology. The system tracks water use hourly, allowing customers to identify patterns and spot potential issues. Residents can also sign up for leak alerts and high-use notifications that provide an early warning when water usage suddenly increases.
To encourage conservation, Austin Water offers several rebate programs designed to help residents improve landscape and irrigation efficiency. The WaterWise Landscape Rebate assists homeowners who replace water-intensive turf areas with landscaped beds that require less irrigation. The utility also offers irrigation upgrade rebates for improvements such as installing rain sensors, converting to drip irrigation, and installing pressure-regulating sprinkler heads.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
