It’s Time to Stop Watering

10.06.2009 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) Recent rainstorms and cooler temperatures mean it’s time to stop watering the lawn, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources. Water conservation and education chief Eric Klotz says this will help the state reach its goal of reducing water consumption 25 percent by 2050.

“Any time you don’t need to water is a great time to not water. Otherwise you’re just wasting it,” Klotz says. “You know, you don’t need to water this late in the year, when the grass is going toward dormancy.”

Utah currently has the second highest per capita water usage in the nation, right behind Nevada.  But Klotz says in the past five years, water usage has decreased by about half of the state’s 25 percent target amount.

He says years of drought helped get the message out about water conservation, but now he fears people will go back to their old habits. Klotz says it’s important for the public to embrace long-term water conservation.

“We’re not telling people that, you know, you should get rid of your lawn, although we do promote xeriscaping principles and water-wise principles,” Klotz says. “But what we’re saying is if you do have turf, learn to water it better.”

Klotz recommends not watering the lawn for at least a week, and after that, turn the sprinkler on only if the weather warms up and dries out. Click here to monitor when it’s the right time to irrigate on the Division of Water Resources’ weekly update online.