Water Conservation Tips

Approximately two thirds of water used by residents in Visalia is for landscape irrigation. Cool-season grass such as fescue is not adapted to our climate and uses the most water. Pools use a significant amount of water too.

Outdoor Water Use

• Avoid wasting water or causing runoff from your property.

• Only irrigate on your watering day before 8:00 am or after 6:00 pm to avoid burning plants and to reduce evaporation.
• A good way to check if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs right back up, you don’t need to turn on the sprinklers.
• Check your sprinkler system regularly. Broken sprinkler heads, automatic timers not adjusted for the season, or hidden leaks that are not detected all waste water.
• Adjust your timer at least quarterly to match the season.
• Use at least 3 inches of mulch around trees, plants and garden beds to retain moisture.
• Use drip irrigation for shrubs and in flower beds.
• Do not leave hoses unattended unless controlled by an automatic timer.
• A garden hose can use 10 gallons of water per minute or more. Use a broom or a rake to remove debris instead of a hose to clean patios, walkways, sidewalks and driveways.
• When washing your car use a bucket, sponge, and a hose with a shut-off nozzle.
• Consider Low-Water Use Gardening planting native and low-water-use plants, shrubs and trees.  Learn more about creating an easy care free landscape using California's native and or drought resistant plants.
• Swimming pools should be covered when not in use to avoid evaporation.
• Visit Cal Water's Water-Wise Gardening website for information on low-water/drought-resistant perennials, shrubs, ornamental grasses, trees, vines, turfs and ground covers for Visalia's climate.
• Consider increasing the water efficiency of your landscape irrigation system.  Visalia's water provider, California Water Service (Cal Water), offers a Smart Landscape Tune-Up Program.  For eligible participants, a Cal Water's contractor will perform an evaluation of the irrigation system, and if needed, recommend selected improvements that the contractor will installed at no cost.