After the extreme drought that Texas experienced between 2011 and 2015, Sugar Land officials have made it a point to reduce water usage and prevent water loss. Planning for inevitable future droughts, the City of Sugar Land devised a Water Conservation Program / Plan for a more efficient use of water resources.
Photo: Flickr / Adventures of KM&G-Morris
Reliable and readily available water sources are a major concern as the City’s population grows and water resources regulations change.
The City created the Water Conservation Program:
- As an effort to mitigate the costs of the partial conversion to surface water as mandated by the Fort Bend Subsidence District (60% by 2025)
- To follow due diligence in reducing water waste on the supply side
- To educate our residents and utility customers on the importance of water conservation
- To promote demand-side conservation
Read this if you’re interested in learning more.
According to www.sugarlandtx.gov, more than 40% of the City’s total water usage is used for lawn irrigation and outdoor fun. Use these tips to cut back on your water consumption while still maintaining a healthy, green lawn:
- Water the lawn only as necessary; most lawn care professionals recommend every 3 – 4 days.
- Indications that it’s time to water the lawn are a dark bluish-gray color, footprints that remain for some time after walking, and wilted, folded, or curled grass blades.
- Invest in a “smart” irrigation system that senses precipitation and doesn’t operate while it’s raining. Or an alternative would be to just make sure to turn off automated irrigation system when rain is in the forecast. Wait until the soil dries to turn it back on.
- Raise the mower blade between 2 – 3 inches and recycle the grass clippings back into the lawn.
- Hand water the landscape areas that need extra water. This will avoid sprinkler overlap on areas that don’t need it. Use a hose spray nozzle with a shutoff handle that stops water flow when not in use.
- Use a broom to sweep debris off pavement.
- Choose a grass type that’s drought resistant and native to the Houston metro for your lawn.
- Collect rainwater to use in the landscape. Rainwater is more nutrient rich than faucet water.
Have questions about lawn care? Visit our Sugar Land, TX lawn care page or share your thoughts in the comments below.
