Water Conservation Tips

The City of Cedar Hills actively promotes water conservation. We encourage our residents to learn all they can about this important topic. Read information on the Utah Division of Water Resources Web site about watering, mowing, and fertilizing your lawn specific to North-Central Utah.

Slow the Flow, Save H2O
This FREE service, sponsored by the Central Utah Water Conservancy District and Utah State University Extension Service, has been funded by a grant since 2002. Inspections are done May through September. To schedule an inspection, call 801-851-8467 and leave your name, address, and phone number. Someone from the “SLOW THE FLOW” program will contact you and make an appointment to come to your home and check if your lawn is getting the proper amount of water.

The program representative will examine your grass roots (which should be 9-12" long) and your soil to determine your soil type. Catch cups will be set out to see how evenly and uniformly your sprinkler system is distributing water. You will be alerted if part of the system is malfunctioning so that you can make appropriate adjustments. Pressure in the lines will be checked to make sure it is not too high (which will wear a sprinkler system out prematurely) or too low (which will cause inadequate coverage of turf). You will also receive a personalized water schedule for your yard based on your soil type and a folder with water conservation tips and other helpful information.

Use Water Wisely
Did you know you may be using more water than you realize? To estimate the total gallons used outside your home per month, use this simple equation: Watering minutes per day (X) Watering days per week (=) Watering minutes per week (/) 60 (=) Watering hours per week (X) 250 (=) Gallons per week. To estimate your average outside usage per month, multiply this answer by four.

To reduce outdoor water usage, here are a few tips:
· Frequently check your irrigation system for leaks.
· Use low water-use plants and shrubs.
· Adjust irrigation schedules to accommodate seasonal water demands. When there are cooler temperatures and precipitation, suspend your automated sprinkler system until conditions warrant resuming a sensible watering schedule.
· Adjust sprinkler so only the lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
· Water at night or during the cool morning hours to minimize evaporation.
· Do not let the hose run while watering plants or washing your car. Instead, use a bucket or use a hand sprinkler with an on/off lever attached to your hose.
· Sweep your sidewalk and driveway rather than hosing it off.

Brown Spots…It must need more water. Or does it?
Did you know that not all brown spots are caused by lack of water? Some spots are actually caused by a grass root-eating bug called bill bug. This bug will eat the root of the grass, causing areas of your lawn to turn brown and look as if it is not receiving enough water. So how does one tell if they have bill bug? Pull a sample from the “dead” grass area; if roots are non-existent and/or they look chewed on, you’ve got bill bug. So before you hose, check for evidence of the bug, because no amount of water is going to bring your beautiful landscaped yard back if the bug is prevalent.

Grass not healthy enough for you?
Try aerating your lawn. Grass, like people, needs oxygen to grow. Regardless of how much water you give your lawn, it will never reach that beautiful lush green color without oxygen. So oxygenate, and start aerating every spring. Not only will this make your lawn more green and beautiful, but it will make it healthier and more durable over time.

Back to top