Daylight-saving time is the perfect reminder to reset sprinkler timers to save water
Riverside, Calif. – Riverside Public Utilities and Western Municipal Water District have partnered up to remind customers to check their sprinkler timers when they change their clocks for daylight-saving time, which begins on Sunday, Nov. 1.
“Using daylight-saving time as a reminder to not only change your clocks, but also to reset and check your outdoor irrigation timers can save lots of water, which is especially important during the drought, “ said Western’s General Manager John Rossi. “Most water waste happens outside, so regularly checking your outdoor water system, saves water and protects plants from damage caused by overwatering.”
When checking and resetting their outdoor irrigation systems, Riverside Public Utilities and Western Municipal Water District offer the following tips:
• Replace the battery, if there is one, in the sprinkler timer and reset the sprinkler timer, if needed, to adjust for daylight-saving time.
• Check the timer settings to ensure that the sprinkler system is watering for the correct number of days and minutes.
• Take advantage of lower evaporation rates by watering in the early morning or in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Watering during the cooler parts of the day can save 25 gallons of water each time you water.
• Run the sprinkler system to ensure all the sprinkler heads are working and spraying the lawn – not the house, sidewalk, driveway or street. Resetting sprinkler heads to deliver the water where it is needed can save 12 to 15 gallons each watering cycle.
• Look for perpetually damp spots in the yard or places where water pools, which can be signs of a leak.
“Small changes can make big differences in our customers’ usage and utility bills,” noted Girish Balachandran. “We’re all in the drought together and every drop counts."
The governor has ordered water cutbacks across the state to meet a strict statewide 25 percent water conservation goal. Western customers face a state-mandated cutback of 32 percent in water use; Riverside Public Utility customers face a reduction of 28 percent. Customers can find full details on the drought, water restrictions, water saving tips and rebates on Western’s wmwd.com or Riverside Public Utilities’ riversidedrought.com websites.
