San Antonio was blessed this year with a wetter than-usual spring. The result was greener grass and brighter blooms than we’ve seen in ages. So that means the drought is over, right? WRONG! It will take a lot more than one rainy season to make up for six years of drought. Aquifer and lake levels… Continue Reading Summer’s here! So when do I water and how much?
In summer, outdoor watering can greatly increase household water use, especially if you have an in-ground sprinkler system. That’s because a single irrigation cycle can use 2,000 to 3,000 gallons or more. And even small inefficiencies — like leaks or frequent scheduling — can waste thousands of gallons more, leading to a hefty water bill.… Continue Reading Water smarter this summer
Here’s a fun fall fact: In San Antonio, the day will be 80 minutes shorter on the last day of October than it was in September. There are also more hours of darkness than daylight. For many of your plants, this means they have less time to soak up the sun. So, they produce fewer… Continue Reading Fall back on lawn watering and save money
Although leaks and other issues are common in irrigation systems, the biggest single source of water waste occurs where you least expect it — at the control box. While you’re adjusting irrigation for the cool season or just turning off your sprinkler system for the year, remember to also make sure your irrigation controller knows… Continue Reading Don’t lose control of your controller
The twice-annual time change is here. And it’s a good reminder to tend to these landscaping tasks. Change the batteries in your irrigation controller (and smoke alarms, too). If the power even flickers, your irrigation controller can lose the correct time and that could throw off all the settings. A quick battery swap will keep… Continue Reading Fall back on watering
Did you know your irrigation system can use more water in one week than your entire family uses in a month? Gardening and Landscaping Industry. Automatic Backyard Garden Lawn Water Sprinkler in Action. In Ground System. Watering Plants and Grass. In fact, SAWS customers with irrigation systems use 70% more water on average in the… Continue Reading Get paid to kick your irrigation system to the curb
Whether you’re new to San Antonio or a long-time resident, you probably know our region is prone to drought. Sometimes we’re lucky and get great summer rains. But that certainly hasn’t been the case in the past few years. 2024 marks the fifth year in a row of below-normal Edwards Aquifer recharge, and three straight… Continue Reading Drought rule changes coming later this summer – but why?
Drip irrigation has exploded in popularity over the past few years – not surprising since current Stages 1 and 2 rules allow drip to be used every day. That’s a problem because drip can use more water than people think. SAWS is still working with the community to determine the final rules on drip irrigation.… Continue Reading Drip Irrigation rule changes
Your landscape is preparing for its long winter’s nap. That means it doesn’t absorb as much water, and soil evaporation drops significantly. Autumn is the ideal time to stop widespread watering — especially with your irrigation system. It’s as easy as 1-2-3. Cut run times in half. For a lawn in full sun, reduce the… Continue Reading Fall for less water
If you’ve kept the hoses and sprinklers stowed away all winter, well done! Stay the course for a little while longer to get your spring lawn off to a healthy start. Most turf grasses don’t hit their growing season stride until April. If you start watering too early, the weeds will certainly get a boost,… Continue Reading It’s not time to start watering just yet
