Use the manual option to turn on your irrigation controller and then check for leaks and other water-wasting problems.
Find landscape professionals who are familiar with water-efficient irrigation technology and practices.
Check all outdoor hoses, connectors, and spigots regularly. Repair leaks as necessary.
Turn off your automatic watering systems when it rains or install a rain sensor to do this automatically.
Plan, design and install an efficient irrigation system-- and adjust your watering schedule at last four times a year.
Make sure your controller lets you run stations on different schedules; some desert-adapted plants only need to be watered once or twice a month!
Find out if you can get water rebate for installing a gray water system.
Calculate how much gray water your family produces (35 gallons per day x number of family members) to help determine your gray water storage needs.
Find out if you can get a rebate for installing a rainwater harvesting system. Look for rebate information on the WAM calendar.
Watering Plants
Water small plants to a depth of 1 foot, larger shrubs to 2 feet, and trees to 3 feet. Use a soil probe or a very long screwdriver to test how deep the water has sunk in.
Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep, strong root systems that can tolerate longer periods between watering.
Encourage rainwater to spread and soak into your landscape instead of allowing it to quickly run off.
Collect water from your roof by installing gutters and downspouts, and keep them free of debris.
Evaluate your landscape to see what needs to be done to direct rainwater to planting areas.
Start the flow of water at the high point of your yard's watershed so that gravity will move the water to your plants.
Consider a "smart" controller that monitors local weather conditions and automatically adjusts when to irrigate your landscape ----no humans required.
Do not water your plants too much. More plants in Arizona landscapes die from over-watering than under-watering!
Watering Turf
Water your lawn at night or in the early morning to keep evaporation at a minimum.
Check with your county cooperative extension office about the best types of lawn grass for your area.
Adjust sprinkler heads so they don't spray walls, driveways, or sidewalks.
Adjust your mower so that grass isn't cut too short; longer grass uses less water.
Spray your lawns with only as much water as the ground can absorb; areas with hard compacted soils may need to be watered in increments.
Don't use a sprinkler meant to water a 15-foot area when an eight-foot sprinkler will do.
