7 Money-Saving Ways to Conserve Water Outside And Be Kinder To Mother Earth

What’s more, few of us can forget the critical water shortages that many US states such as Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas, experienced in the not-too-distant past; ones that resulted in some of the strictest water regulations in this country’s history.  

But as we all know, weather patterns come and go, and while some areas of our country are inundated with torrential storms and ensuing floods, others will continue to be plagued by droughts.  

There is some good news, however, and that is that more and more homeowners are proactively reducing their water consumption as part of their commitment to greener lifestyles and, as importantly, to reduce stress on their wallets.

You may, however, be one of the millions of Americans who are eager to jump aboard the water-conservation bandwagon, but aren’t sure where, or how, to begin. And while it can seem challenging at first, there are many simple and affordable - yet highly effective - ways to save water and cut back on those monthly utility bills.

And since many experts believe that water used for landscaping purposes accounts for over 50% of a typical homeowner’s usage, it makes sense to start outside.

Below you’ll find seven of the best outdoor water conservation strategies. They are all high-impact and sustainable solutions that will thrill your pocketbook as well as your inner “green” being.

1. Collect storm water using gutters, grates, and channel drains and divert it to capture devices such as rain barrels, cisterns, and catch basins. Then, use it to wash your car; water your plants, flowerbeds, and grass; clean your windows, and the like.  Yes, this does require a bit more thought and effort than you’re probably used to, but you’ll be amazed at how much water it saves.

2. Invest in a smart water controller. Water controllers are among the most effective, innovative, and affordable water conservation gadgets in today’s marketplace. They are similar to conventional automatic sprinkler controllers that allow users to “set and forget”  - that is, program their sprinklers to turn on and off at specified times.

And while many homeowners find this very convenient, they often don’t realize how much water is actually being wasted in the process – especially since these traditional controllers activate the watering system regardless of how much rain has, or is, falling!

Smart controllers, on the other hand, have internal sensors that collect soil, information and atmospheric (real time) and virtual (web-based) weather data and use it to automate and optimize watering schedules.  These calculations are performed daily and used to deliver the exact right amount of water needed – no under watering or drowning.  

Stores such as Home Depot have several models of these high-performance gems for you to choose.

3. Save for a rainy day. Rain sensors are also great additions to your outside landscaping arsenal if you’re looking to save money, energy, and water. What’s more they’re very inexpensive and can be wired directly to most existing irrigation timers.

Here’s how they work... These devices contain disks that expand when they get wet. This trips a negative wire, which prevents the pump-relay from operating, and stops the system from running until the disk dries (not coincidentally, the disk dries at close to the same rate as soil).  Again, you can find these at stores like Home Depot. They offer various models and  their staff is knowledgeable and can surely help you choose the one that best fits your needs.

4. Water your plants and lawn early in the morning or later in the afternoon or evening. This will greatly reduce the amount of wasted water – in the form of evaporation – so put away your hose or watering can at high noon!

5. Regularly check your watering system for leaks.  If you’ve got dripping hoses, faucets, sprinklers, or pipes you’re wasting water 24/7.  First, be sure to turn your water off at the source, and then check for leaks. If you find any, fix them, pronto!

6. Cleaning your deck, patio or driveway? If so, trade in your hose for a broom. There’s no need to use water to clear away leaves, sticks, or sand off of hard outdoor surfaces. Sweeping will actually take you less time in the long run, often give you better results, and brooms are much easier on patio furniture and wood. And if you need a little more muscle, you can always use a little Windex or other household cleaner.  

7. Replace some, or all, of your sprinklers with drip irrigation systems. These ingenious water-conservation systems have conventional sprinkler systems beat, hands down because they deliver slow, even, and precise amounts of water directly to plants’ root zones. This type of irrigation is proven to use up to 75% less water than conventional methods, complying with drought restrictions and saving money on the water bill.

This means the plants’ roots stay moist but never saturated – which creates the ideal balance between air and water – and little, if any, water is wasted.

Even better, drip systems are extremely affordable (yes, you can even install them yourself) and very flexible.  You can start with a simple DIY kit and easily add on as your watering needs change. Just be sure to purchase your system from a reputable company that carries high-quality parts and stands behind their products (i.e. with good warranties). Otherwise you’ll likely have to replace your system before you’re ready and/or deal with clogged heads.  You’ll also want to be sure that their replacement parts are easy to get and not too pricey.

But what if you’ve already invested in a sprinkler system or have large areas (like lawns) that require frequent watering? If so, consider limiting the amount and size of larger areas by adding perennial plants and trees that will allow you to water using drip irrigation systems or creating a hybrid solution – part sprinkler, part drip.

As the demand for fresh water soars and supplies become more scarce (and more states enact mandatory water-conservation laws), it’s time we all put ideas like these to work for ourselves, our communities, and our environment.  After all, they’re practical, effective, very affordable (or free) and flexible. So, why wait another day to start your own water-conservation efforts? Once you do, you'll wonder what took you so long.