Your Villa Magazine - Desert Cities -February - March -2023

D E S I G N + B U I L D Tips on how to reduce outdoor water use In this drought, we’ve all been asked to conserve more water. That could be a particular challenge for desert residents who use nearly 80% of their water outdoors. Overwatering, inefficient sprinklers and old irrigation systems are among the biggest water wasters. Here are ways you can improve your outdoor water efficiency to conserve more water. Tune up your irrigation system Check your irrigation equipment to reduce excessive water use and prevent irrigation leaks. Faulty irrigation valves prevent the system from shutting off and ruptures in irrigation pipe can lead to large water losses. Broken sprinkler heads can create geysers or flood the area around the sprinkler. Adjust sprinklers to prevent overspray and runoff. If you can, replace sprinklers with water-saving rotary nozzles to water lawns. They keep landscape healthy and reduce runoff. Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) customers may be eligible for rebates for high-efficiency rotary nozzles. See CVWD.org/rebates for more information. Make sure the sprinklers turn off after their scheduled time. Avoid wasting water to runoff. If water runs off before the water cycle finishes, split the cycle time. Set the time to water in two, three or even four cycles at least an hour apart to allow the water to soak in. Install a water-e cient drip irrigation system Drip irrigation systems can significantly reduce water use. They are highly efficient because water soaks into soil before it can evaporate or run off. Check the watering schedule Water at night to minimize water loss to evaporation. Adjust the irrigation schedule to reflect seasonal changes. Always reduce your water use for the cooler months. For help on how much water to use on trees, grass and shrubs (preferably drought tolerant), check the Watering Guide at CVWD.org/Conservation . Install a smart irrigation controller Replace your old timer with a weather-based smart controller that will automatically adjust your watering needs. Studies show that smart systems can save up to 30% of water usage for landscape irrigation. CVWD residential customers can apply for a free smart controller. HOA and commercial customers can receive a refund of 75% of the controller cost, up to $10,000 per project. See CVWD.org/rebates for more information. CVWD Outdoor Water E ciency Rebates & Discounts Facebook “ f ” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “ f ” Logo CMYK / .eps Visit www.cvwd.org/rebates for program details and requirements. Or call us at (760) 398-2651. Programs require pre-approval. Smart Irrigation Controller Turf Conversion - now $3/square foot Sprinkler Nozzle Replacement 30 | YourVilla Magazine