Maintaining a
waterSmart Landscape
www.ConserveWaterGeorgia.net
waterSmart is a program of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources'
Environmental Protection Division in partnership with the
University Georgia Cooperative Extension.
By participating in this program,
I can receive a certificate that…
• Commits me to reducing the amount of
water I use in and around my home or
business.
• Allows me to water my landscape on a
limited basis, if I live in the northern third
of Georgia where outdoor water use is
otherwise banned.
Water Facts
• The same amount of water is on earth
today as when the earth was created.
• 97% is of the water is salt water in the
oceans and seas.
• 2% of the earth’s water is tied up in
polar ice caps.
• 1% is fresh water available for drinking,
bathing, and cooking.
Georgia’s Water
• 9.5 million people
depend on a clean
water supply.
• The population is
increasing by more
than 2.2 % a year
making GA the 5th
fastest growing
state in the nation.
© 2006 National Drought Mitigation Center
http://drought.unl.edu/gallery/2007/Georgia/LakeHartwell2.htm
Georgia’s
Water
• Most of GA’s
•
water sources
originate in the
state.
Alabama and
Florida also
depend on
these water
sources.
Georgia’s Water
• Water utilities throughout the state are permitted
by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division
to withdraw water and deliver it to their
customers.
• In 2007-2008 many Georgia counties are facing
an exceptional drought that is only seen once in
150 years.
• In November 2007, water utilities were ordered
to reduce consumption by 10% over last winter
in response to the drought.
Georgia’s
Water
• Water utilities
are required to
enforce the
Outdoor Water
Use Rule which
bans outdoor
watering in the
northern 1/3
of Georgia.
Georgia needs healthy landscapes
and landscapes need water
• A healthy
landscape says
welcome to my
home or
business.
• Gives our
children a safe
place to play.
Landscapes…
• Produce the oxygen
•
•
we breathe.
Reduce carbon
dioxide.
Moderate air
temperatures
resulting in lower
heating and cooling
costs.
One tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
annually, equaling 11,000 miles of car emissions.
Landscapes…
• Filter air and water
•
•
pollutants, noise
and dust.
Reduce stormwater
runoff.
Provide
groundwater
recharge.
thurt@uga.edu
The goal of a waterSmart Landscape
is to maintain healthy lawns and
gardens while using less water.
waterSmart Tips
• Know how much water your plants
need.
• Put the “right” plants in the “right”
places.
• Mulch.
• Collect A/C condensate & rainwater.
• Use less water indoors.
More plants are killed in
Georgia from over-watering
than from drought.
RULE OF THUMB
Shrubs:
Apply 1 GALLON of water per foot of plant height
up to once a week.
Lawns:
Apply up to 1 INCH of water per application
up to once a week.
Trees:
Apply 1 INCH of water under entire canopy
up to once a week.
(for larger trees don’t water area within 4 feet of trunk)
Target water to plants
that show signs of stress such as
• Gray/green Color
• Wilting
• Dying Branches
Use a hand-held hose with water
nozzle or a watering can.
Water at night or early morning to
avoid losing water to evaporation.
Water Deeply!
Light, frequent watering causes shallow rooting and
increases need for water.
Minimize use of spray irrigation
Soak don’t sprinkle.
NOT
Use Drip Irrigation
•Drip uses 30% to 50% less water than sprinklers.
•Drip waters the plant instead of the area.
•Drip avoids
spraying foliage so
diseases are less
likely to occur.
In-ground irrigation system users
should…
• Have a regular
system audit.
– Check for leaks.
– Consider new water
saving equipment.
Broken Pipe
• Maximize areas
using drip irrigation.
Fogging from using too much pressure.
waterSmart Tips
• Know how much water your plants
need.
• Put the “right” plants in the “right”
places.
• Mulch.
• Collect A/C condensate & rainwater.
• Use less water indoors.
Select Plants Adapted to the
Site and the Stresses
of the Environment
Drought tolerance is important, but also
consider potential insect and disease
problems, sunlight and soil
requirements.
Use Turfgrass for a Purpose
• Aesthetic Value (Welcome Mat)
• Recreational Surface
• Erosion Control
Minimize the amount of
irrigated turfgrass.
Drought Tolerance of Turfgrasses
Hybrid Bermuda
Zoysia
Most
St. Augustinegrass
Centipede
Tall Fescue
Least
waterSmart Tips
• Know how much water your plants
need.
• Put the “right” plants in the “right”
places.
• Mulch.
• Collect A/C condensate & rainwater.
• Use less water indoors.
Benefits of Mulch
• Prevents water loss from the soil.
• Prevents soil-borne diseases.
• Insulates the roots of plants from extreme
heat and cold.
• Reduces weed competition.
Best Mulch
Organic
Fine-textured
Non-matting
Mulch
NOT
PICTURE OF PINESTRAW
PICTURE OF Rock
Mulch
How Much Mulch?
3 to 5 inches deep is sufficient
1 bale of pine straw covers
approximately 50 sq. ft.
waterSmart Tips
• Know how much water your plants
need.
• Put the “right” plants in the “right”
places.
• Mulch.
• Collect A/C condensate & rainwater.
• Use less water indoors.
Watering with A/C condensate
and harvested rainwater
is always allowed.
Condensate Harvesting Potential
AC production
Example:
10 gallons/day
x 7 to convert
to gallons per week
70 gallons/week
x 4 to convert
to gallons per month
~280 gallons/month
Need ~7+ gallons/day to get 280 gallons/month.
Condensate Pumps
Pump ~25 gallons/hour with 15’ head
Cost ~ $50
Rainwater
Harvesting
Potential
(see next
slide)
Rainfall on a 20 x 50’ roof area (1,000 ft2)
Month
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
Example
Rainfall
(inches)
1.36”
0.26”
4.37”
3.42”
1.19”
1.46”
2.89”
0.93’
624
(gallons/
inch)
Volume
(gallons)
624
624
624
624
624
624
624
624
849
162
2,727
2,134
743
911
1,803
580
waterSmart Tips
• Know how much water your plants
need.
• Put the “right” plants in the “right”
places.
• Mulch.
• Collect A/C Condensate & Rainwater.
• Use less water indoors.
Water Facts
• Average family of 4 can use 400 gallons of
water every day.
• Approximately 70 percent of household
water is used indoors and 30 percent is
devoted to outdoor uses.
Use less water indoors
at home…
Wash laundry and dishes with full loads.
Always turn off running water.
Take shorter showers.
Eliminate leaks.
Reduce the flow of toilets and shower heads.
Find more tips at
www.ConserveWaterGeorgia.net.
Use less water indoors
at work…
• Educate your employees and co-workers.
• Know your usage.
- Start with reading your water meter.
- Establish a baseline use.
• Identify and fix leaks.
• Maximize the efficiency of your cooling tower.
• Install water efficient equipment.
Find more information at
www.ConserveWaterGeorgia.net.
By participating in this program
I can receive a certificate that…
• Commits me to reducing the amount of
water I use in other areas of my home.
• Allows me to water my landscape on a
limited basis, if I live in the northern third
of Georgia where outdoor water use is
otherwise banned.
Next Steps
• Commit to reducing the amount of water
you use in other areas of your home.
• Take the quiz that follows this presentation.
Score 70% or better.
Next Steps
• Print a certificate of completion.
• Post the certificate prominently in your
yard.
• Your name and address will be added to a
statewide database for use by water
utilities.
Next Steps
• Conserve water inside the home.
• Maintain a waterSmart landscape.
• Only when necessary, water landscapes
1 day per week within the hours of
12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m.
For additional information on
waterSmart Landscapes
 Call your local UGA Cooperative Extension




Office at 1-800-ASK-UGA1.
Consult a landscape professional.
Visit a local garden center.
Go to www.ConserveWaterGeorgia.net.
Visit the UGA Extension Service web site:
www.caes.uga.edu.
Author:
Gary L. Wade, Ph.D.
UGA, Department of Horticulture
&
Todd Hurt
UGA Center for Urban Agriculture
The University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Maintaining a
waterSmart Landscape
www.ConserveWaterGeorgia.net
waterSmart is a program of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources'
Environmental Protection Division in partnership with the
University Georgia Cooperative Extension.