As the weather turns to warmer temperatures, please keep in mind that water conservation policies are in place and will be enforced this summer, which includes assigned-day watering. Using your sprinklers three days a week keeps your yard healthy and your water bill low while avoiding waste.

Water in the Truckee Meadows is a precious resource. By watering responsibly, you’re helping to ensure a plentiful water supply for future generations. “What may surprise you is that water used for landscaping increases the average residential customer’s water use by four times compared to indoor use in the winter months,” explained Bill Hauck, TMWA’s Water Supply Supervisor. “That’s why it is important to only give your yard the water it needs to stay healthy, while avoiding waste.”

Here are some smart watering practices TMWA asks customers to follow:

• The assigned-day watering schedule gives you three days to water your lawn. If the last number of your home or business address is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8), water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. If the last number of your home or business address is odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), water only on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Please don’t water on Mondays, as it is a day of rest for TMWA’s water delivery system, giving it a chance to recharge.
• The best times to water your lawn are late at night or early in the morning when the ground and air temperatures are cool. Because of evaporation, watering is not allowed during the heat of the day, from noon – 6 p.m.
• Turn your sprinklers off when it’s raining or windy.
• If you water your lawn and runoff occurs, cut the time by two-minute increments until runoff stops. This will help you establish how many minutes your water cycle should be.
• Assigned-day watering only applies to your sprinkler system. You can hand water or use your drip system any time and any day of the week.
• For a downloadable reminder of your days, go to smartaboutwater.com

TMWA is dedicated to encouraging smart water use and helping customers prevent unnecessary waste. Sometimes customers, whether business or residential, simply do not realize they have a leak or broken sprinkler head. If you see water being wasted, please call the Conservation Department at 775- 834-8005. Any customers with water waste issues will be contacted and assisted in resolving the issue.

For more information about water-efficient landscaping, conservation, and TMWA’s workshop series, please visit tmwa.com. To learn more about water resource management in the region visit smartaboutwater.com.