Information through the City of Corpus Christ Water Department and the Nueces River Authority indicated that a household uses approximately 165 gallons of water per day. This equals 60,000 gallons of water used per residence. Potentially, half of the yearly consumption of water is used to irrigate landscapes.
Water conservation, in times of drought, drives targeted educational programs to address needs of local clientele. A recent survey of Nueces Master Gardener Interns suggested that turgrass from 11 participants was watered 2 times the amount recommended. The average lawn size of the participants was 725 square feet accounting for an average of 451 gallons of water that is required on a weekly basis if the minimum application rate of 1” of water is applied. Potential water usage for each homeowner should be 23,452 gallons of water used on a lawn. However, results of the survey showed that twice the recommended rate of 46,904 gallons was applied by each residence. A 50% water savings is assumed.
Implementing Best Management Practices and performing irrigation audits will save the participants approximately 30% on their current irrigation water usage bills on a yearly basis. Proper application techniques such as:
· Watering when turfgrass shows symptoms of drought stress.
· Watering in the early morning between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.
· Performing an irrigation audit.
· Reduce watering during cooler months
Better awareness reduces the impact on the watershed that supplies a growing population. In addition, the same principles and techniques can be utilized to the rest of the landscape.
It is up to us to preserve our natural resources.
Resources
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/drought/water_efficient_practices_2010.pdf
