NTMWD promotes irrigation efficiency

NTMWD promotes irrigation efficiency

The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) is promoting the use of a free irrigation tool, WaterMyYard.org, that teaches consumers when to water their lawn and when to wait. The tool, which uses real-time weather station data, can help homeowners learn to use water wisely and manage their summer water bills by only watering their lawns when needed.

During the typically hot, dry months of July, August and September, homeowners often use two or three times more water outdoors than in the winter months.

“By subscribing to WaterMyYard.org, homeowners receive free weekly emails or text messages with recommendations on how long to set their irrigation timer and how much to water their lawn based on local weather conditions,” NTMWD spokesperson Denise Hickey said.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that as much as 50 percent of the water used outdoors is lost due to runoff caused by inefficient irrigation methods and systems, wind and evaporation. A household with an automatic landscape irrigation system that is not properly maintained and operated can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water annually, almost enough to fill an average swimming pool. Participation in programs such as WaterMyYard.org can help homeowners save water in their landscape and help manage their water bills.

“It is easy to subscribe to WaterMyYard.org with a few simple steps: enter your address or zip code; select information specific to your irrigation system; and provide an email or phone number. Each week, receive a watering recommendation based on the past seven days of local weather,” Hickey said. “Knowing when to water and when to wait will help homeowners maintain a healthy lawn and save our treated water supply for other uses such as cooking, sanitation and fire-fighting.”

The NTMWD provides water to more than 1.6 million people in one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

July is “Smart Irrigation Month” and now is a good time to perform an irrigation check-up to make sure it is operating efficiently. To learn more, visit the Texas A&M Water University website and click on “Conducting an Irrigation Check-Up.”