Water Conservation
The City of Lafayette strives to conserve water and reduce overall water consumption. In order for our efforts to be successful, we have partnered with the Center for ReSource Conservation (CRC) to offer programs to our residents.
- Slow the Flow Program: This is a FREE audit of your sprinkler system and your indoor water use. The indoor water audits are performed by trained auditors.
- Xeriscape Seminars: Every spring and fall CRC offers FREE programs on xeriscaping and water-wise landscape practices.
Tips we can do at home to conserve water:
Water-Wise Landscaping-Irrigation
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Per the new emergency Ordinance NO. 07, Series 2013 residents are required to follow these guidelines:
- Watering the lawn before 10:00 am or after 6:00 pm cuts down on evaporation.
- Be aware of weather forecasts and turn off your irrigation system when it's supposed to rain or high winds are predicted.
- If you use a hose to water the lawn, set a hose faucet timer to automate watering times.
- During the summer, lawns only need to be watered two days a week. You pick the days. In extreme summer heat, add one more day to your weekly picks.
- Every month, check the timer on your sprinkler system to make sure it follows the recommended watering times.
- Encourage deeper grass roots to develop by spreading out your watering days.
- Break the amount of watering time for each zone into three shorter cycles. This will allow water to soak deeper into the soil. Modern sprinkler system timers have a cycle function.
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Lawns, Plants & Gardening
- Adjust your lawn mower blade to leave grass two and a half to three inches tall.
- Putting a layer of mulch around your trees and plants cuts down on evaporation and can save hundreds of gallons a month.
- Plant native grasses, they require less water to grow.
- Aerate your lawn in the spring so water will reach the roots instead of running off the surface.
- Use wise water landscape practices from start to finish when planning your garden landscape.
Learn more about the right types of plants that will help save water.
Washing Dishes and Clothing:
- When washing by hand, fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water, rather than letting water run.
- Soak pots and pans before washing
- Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full
Washing Up:
- Try a faucet aerator on your sink to reduce water use
- Take shallow baths
- Keeping showers under 5 minutes can save you up to 1000 gallons a month
- Use a low-flow showerhead
- Turn off the water while you brush your teeth or while shaving, and save up to 200 gallons a week for a family of four
Toilet:
- Install low volume toilets
- Make sure your toilet flapper doesn't stick open after flushing
- Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak.
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