As we're experiencing hot and humid temperatures and have had very little rainfall in our area in recent weeks, the Town is asking residents to be mindful of their outdoor watering use and pitch in to help conserve water. This time of year, close to 2/3 of the water consumption in town is from outdoor water use.
Some tips to minimize water use outdoors:
- Change your watering method to hand-held only or drip irrigation.
- Water after 5 PM or before 9 AM to avoid evaporative losses.
- Consider covering a pool when not in use to prevent evaporation.
- Wash vehicles with a bucket and sponge and only hose to rinse, etc.
- Use collected water from other sources like running the shower, rinsing dishes, and even from rain using rain barrels to water your gardens. Needham DPW offers rain barrels for purchase.
- Fix any leaks in irrigation systems.
Remember, most grasses planted in New England are meant to go brown during drought conditions to protect the roots system and will come back when conditions return to normal. Grasses have developed the response defense of going into summer dormancy as a protection.
Thanks for doing your part to help protect Needham's public water supply!
