Did you know that the greatest waste of water at home is often watering too much, too often? Check out our Sprinkler Systems 101 for some tips that will help you stay green while saving green.

Ever wonder just how much water your lawn and other plants need each week? From March - October, the Consortium publishes a weekly watering number each Thursday. 

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Because outdoor water use accounts for the most household water consumption, choosing water-efficient outdoor products can make a big impact on both your water use and your water bill.

Here are some water-saving outdoor products you can find at almost any home or garden center:

• Rain gauges: These add-ons to your irrigation system automatically shut off the system when it rains.
• Manual hose bib timers: These timers connect to a hose and automatically shut off your sprinklers after a predetermined length of time.
• Soil moisture sensors: These sensors are placed in the soil at strategic locations, and they prevent your irrigation system from starting when the soil is sufficiently moist.
• Soil polymers: When placed in the soil, these materials absorb water, allowing roots to draw moisture as needed. Polymers are most effective for potted plants or sandy soil.

• How to Select a Landscape Contractor: Be an Informed Consumer (PDF)
• Consortium Outdoor Brochure (PDF)
• How to Select an Irrigation Contractor: Be an Informed Consumer (PDF)
• 7 Basic Steps for Creating Water Efficient Landscapes (PDF)
• Low water-use plants of the Portland Metro Area (PDF)
• Planting and Maintaining Your Lawn (PDF)
• Water-Efficient Plants For the Willametter Valley (PDF)

We recommend the following websites for information and links to numerous other resources:

• Water - Use It Wisely
• American Water Works Association
• Waterwiser: The Water Efficiency Clearinghouse
• EPA Office of Water
• Department of the Interior — Bureau of Reclamation
• Water Conservation Publications
• OSU Water Connection
• Water Resources of Oregon
• Clean Rivers and Streams

• Recommended Reading (PDF)

• New Grass Blend Conserves Water. (PDF)
  By Tom Krupicka
• Compost and Water Conservation. (PDF)
  By Christine Hollenbeck
• Irrigation Tips. (PDF)
  By Steve Carper
• Designing a Water-Efficient Landscape. (PDF)
  By Dr. Steven C. Carlin, Ph.D.
• Your Green Green Grass at Home. (PDF)
  By Mallory Gwynn
• Mulches for Landscape Beds (PDF)
  By James Altland
• Get to Know Your Yard and Choose the Right Plants (PDF)
  By Christine Hollenbeck
• Native Trees and Shrubs Reduce Summer Water Use (PDF)
  By Ryan Durocher
• Northwest Native Plant Ornamental Gardening without Summer Watering (PDF)
  By Wallace W. Hansen

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