WATER TOPICS

WILL XERISCAPING YOUR YARD REALLY REDUCE YOUR WATER USE?
YOU BET!

While most people would agree that retrofitting a yard from predominantly lawn to low water-use landscaping would save water, just how much can Xeriscaping reduce water use? The following is a highly visible example that everyone should be familiar with.

The Stater Bros. Shopping Center removed 16,500 square feet of lawn last summer and the DWP recently compared water use at this site for May, June and July last year versus this year. The difference between years was astonishing. In 2004, the total use for the three months was 350,064 gallons versus 14,212 gallons in 2005. This was a 96% reduction in water use!

There are many ways that you can improve your water-use efficiency. Removing lawn is just one example. If you have a lawn and would consider removing some or all of it, the DWP will pay you $0.40 per square foot to do so. If you decide to keep your lawn, keep in mind that most people over-water lawns. Try reducing your sprinkler run-times. If the lawn still looks good, reduce the run-time a little more until you figure out how little water your lawn needs to look good. If you are interested in considering other low water-use landscaping ideas, visit the DWP's web site (www.bbldwp.com) or contact us directly at (909) 866-5050.

DOING MORE WITH LESS, NOT LIVING WITHOUT
XERISCAPES DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

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