Residents Asked To Limit Outdoor Water Use: Madison Water Utility

MADISON, WI—Madison Water Utility is asking residents to limit and conserve outdoor water use because of water supply pressure. This comes amid a combination of dry, hot weather as well as a number of out-of-serve water wells.

The city will reevaluate these voluntary restrictions after the current dry spell and well maintenance is resolved. However, the city and environmental groups always recommend practicing water conservation.

In the summer, water use in Madison shoots up by 25 percent largely due to outdoor use such as lawn and planting waterings. And, much of this water can go to waste due to overwatering, evaporation and poor landscape designs. Overwatering can have negative effects not just on the lawn but the surrounding environment as well.

Here are the Madison Water Utility’s recommendations:

• Established lawns need only one inch of water per week. Applying the water all at once, rather than frequent light waterings, promotes deeper roots and a healthier, more resilient lawn.
• Avoid watering during the midday heat. This will reduce losses due to evaporation.
• Raise your lawnmower height to promote deeper rooting. Taller grass also shades the soil surface thereby reducing evaporation.
• Use a sprinkling can or hand-held hose to specifically target smaller areas where a sprinkler is wasteful.
• Consider a timed sprinkler, which automatically shuts off after a desired rate of application.
• Use a rain barrel. Capturing water from downspouts conserves the municipal supply while providing the best water for lawn and garden.

All information from the City of Madison. Find out more about water conservation and updates.