• During the summer, most household water is used for watering lawns.
• Even where water isn't transported long distances from source to tap, a significant amount of energy is required to treat and process it before it enters the water mains.

Treat your lawn right.

• Set mower blades to cut grass about two to three inches tall. Cutting grass shorter dries the soil faster and increases water use.
• Leave grass clippings for mulch. During dry periods, cut the grass high and leave the clippings on the lawn to keep it damp, thus reducing the amount of water your lawn needs.
• Lawns should be watered in the morning, to reduce evaporation. Watering at night will reduce evaporation but may encourage mold to grow.
• Most lawns need about one inch of water a week once they're established. Apply it slowly so the water doesn't run off.
• To determine the time needed to apply an inch of water: Set two or three cans on the lawn and turn on the sprinkler.
  Check every few minutes to determine how long it takes to sprinkle an inch in each can. Average the times for the cans and that's the length of time to water.

• Water in the early morning or late afternoon to reduce evaporation.
• Try drip irrigation for shrubs and garden plants. It's a way of putting the water in small, steady amounts right to the soil around the plant you're watering.
• When relandscaping, group together the plants that need similar amounts of water.

• Consider plants for your yard that don't require much water. These often are plants native to your area because they aren't watered when they grew wild. Investigate the branch of landscaping science called Xeriscaping which deals with this.
• Consider the climate when you plant in your yard. Plants adapted to local conditions require less water and less attention.
• Consider shrubs, succulents and trees as a substitute for some of your lawn. Nothing requires more water than a lawn.
• When you're ready to reseed or resod your lawn, consider grasses that require less water.