Early summer rains have dried up and people may feel the need to turn on their irrigation systems, but SAWS cautions its customers that doing so will lead to higher bills than they may expect.
In 2019 when summer rains suddenly dried up, some customers experienced sticker shock from high bills after they turned on automatic irrigation systems or laid out hose-end sprinklers. Increasing watering to just once a week will double the water bill for a home with an average-sized lawn. Households with generous lot sizes or that choose multiple sprinkler cycles per week can experience a tripling of bills compared to when it was raining.
“We want to remind people that once-a-week irrigation is better for both their landscape and their pocketbook,” said Karen Guz, Conservation director. “Actually, it’s normal for lawns to be less green in the hottest part of our summers. Trying to keep them lush can get very expensive and is not necessary for their survival.”
To avoid the headaches of a high bill surprise, customers should:
- Check their irrigation system for leaks or missing nozzles.
- Make sure all old schedules are deleted before adding new ones on their irrigation controller.
- Schedule a free SAWS Irrigation Consultation to get expert advice on managing their landscape and become eligible for efficiency rebates.
- Consider reducing the grass portion of their landscape using SAWS WaterSaver Landscape and Patioscape coupons
- Visit GardenStyleSA.com for the latest advice on all things gardening in San Antonio
More detailed advice is available at www.GardenStyleSA.com/SummerWatering
