Money-saving tip: Turn off sprinklers when it's raining

Homeowners and business owners can start conserving water by doing one simple thing: turning off their irrigation systems when it rains.

There are a number of other water-wise practices people can follow to save water and lower their water bill, but a good place to start is by turning off a sprinkler system when rain is forecast.

Tuesday's thunderstorm dumped about .13 inches on the Aiken area, but automated sprinklers were observed running during the downpour.

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that home irrigation systems across the country waste up to 1.5 billion gallons every day by improperly watering landscapes.

A rain shutoff device, which measures whether or not enough rainfall has occurred in order to skip an irrigation cycle, can help, said Cold Creek Nurseries co-owner Doug Walker, preventing water from being wasted on landscaping that does not need it.

Their use hasn't really "caught on" in this area, but in other parts of the country, they're mandated by ordinance, he said.

Though there are no water usage restrictions currently in effect, they may be needed.

The City of Aiken has seen an increase in water usage of 37 percent, which it has attributed to the heat and lack of rainfall.

The spike has not yet stressed the City's capacity, but Public Works Director Larry Morris reported on the City's website that he will have to call for water usage restrictions if conditions persist.

The recent spat of thunderstorms has provided some respite, but even though people may still be worried about their lawns or plants, a good rule of thumb to follow is to water only when landscaping shows signs of stress, according to the Clemson Cooperative Extension.

A lawn that has a bluish/gray cast to it or a lawn where the blades of grass remain crumpled after being stepped on needs to be watered. And, only water those plants or areas of the yard that need it.

"Watch your yard. Know what soil type you have," Walker said.

Half an inch of water on coarse, sandy soil and one inch of water on heavy or fine-textured soil is plenty.

Know, too, what time is best to water.

Walker recommends early morning because the sun is not out and wind is low.

For more information on rain shutoff devices, call Cold Creek Nurseries at 648-6810.