EMWD provides tips on smart outdoor irrigation

Press release from Eastern Municipal Water District:

PERRIS -- As California’s drought continues throughout the hot summer months, there has never been a more important time to practice proper irrigation techniques to maximize critical water supplies.

That is why Eastern Municipal Water District is celebrating Smart Irrigation Month throughout the month of July, where we are helping to highlight the importance of efficient irrigation and proper landscape choices so customers may do their part to reduce water use now and for years to come.

In EMWD’s service area, more than 60 percent of water used is for outdoor irrigation. Those areas also provide the biggest opportunities for savings, as most customers may not be as efficient as they can be. Among the ways customers can help irrigate responsibly:

-- By removing grass and installing drought-tolerant landscaping, customers can see substantial water savings. EMWD customers are eligible for rebate programs of up to $3 per square foot of grass removed.

-- Smart controllers are a great way to save water and irrigate responsibly. A smart controller will automatically adjust irrigation times each day based on weather patterns, helping to provide the right amount of water that plants need each day without the need to manually adjust the controller. EMWD offers a free smart controller installation program through its Landscapes for Living initiative.

-- Drip irrigation in planter beds or in areas with drought tolerant plants will also help reduce water use through the reduction of overspray. By irrigating plants at their root, plants will be healthier and need less water.

-- EMWD also encourages customers to check irrigation systems once per month for any needed repairs, such as replacing broken sprinkler heads or broken irrigation lines.

-- Customers should also focus on reducing runoff from their properties. If water is running onto a sidewalk, it is likely that over-irrigation is taking place.

-- Customers should also irrigate between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. This will help reduce both evaporation and runoff since there is less heat and wind during these hours. EMWD even offers a sample irrigation schedule to help customers irrigate more responsibly.

“As we continue to face historic water supply challenges, making both large and small changes to your irrigation practices can go a long way in helping us all do our part to use water responsibly and save money in the process,” EMWD General Manager Joe Mouawad said. “Even a small change can result in significant savings, and EMWD is here as a resource for our customers to assist them in creating positive and lasting changes to irrigate responsibly and efficiently.”