Managing your water use wisely

Stage One restrictions limit sprinkler irrigation to one time a week based on address. After years of research and testing, it is clear that weekly watering is all your lawn needs. All of our lawn grasses will live and be reasonably green with once-a-week irrigation.

Watering between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. is a rule in place year-round. In San Antonio, evaporation is highest and winds are likely to be strongest at midday. Sprinklers operating then are less efficient than early in the morning or late at night.

If you do not know how to adjust the controller on your automatic sprinkler system to your watering day, contact your irrigation company or San Antonio Water System at 210-233-3659. A SAWS auditor will show you how to reset the controller.

Have your irrigation company check your rain sensor, too. It is also an offense to irrigate in the rain.

Drip irrigation and hand-watering are allowed as needed. This flexibility is allowed as part of the early stages of drought management because they are efficient ways to water plants. Use hand-watering to touch up areas of the lawn the sprinkler doesn't water adequately or where there is less soil beneath the grass.

Drought restrictions underscore the need to repair leaks in irrigation systems. This rule is always in place.

Calvin R. Finch is a horticulturist and water resources director with San Antonio Water System.