Water Conservation

Just because it is your scheduled day, you do not need to irrigate.* Irrigation systems should only be operated when grass begins to show signs of stress, like lingering footprints or mower tracks, grass or leaf blades begin to close, or the top inches of soil feel dry. 

The amount of water needed varies depending on the time of year, rainfall and soil conditions. Turn your irrigation timer off after it rains and let your lawn “tell” you when you need to turn the timer back on. If a particular zone begins to show signs of stress, only set the irrigation system to irrigate the stressed zone, rather than run the entire system.

Learn to operate your irrigation system properly and check your settings monthly to be sure that it is running at the right day and time. Verify that additional start times are turned off and check rain sensors monthly to ensure they're not clogged. 

You can also use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle to water flower beds and dry spots on your lawn. Visit the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Handbook for Home Landscapes, provided by the University of Florida. It is an excellent resource for learning about Florida-friendly plants, including those that require little irrigation or fertilizer, are low maintenance, and attract wildlife.

Cut your grass at the highest recommended height (4” for St. Augustine or Bahia, 2” for Empire Zoysia) and mow regularly, cutting no more than 1/3 of the grass length. It is also important to keep mower blades sharp. Dull blades tear grass, opening it to disease and causing it to appear tan and ragged. 

Common types of leaks found in the home include worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets and hoses, and leaking shower or sprinkler heads. All are easily correctable and in most cases, replacement parts don't require a major investment. Learn more about finding and fixing leaks around your home in our Leak Fact Sheet.