Outdoor
Smart Outdoor Practices
Did you know that residential outdoor water use across the United States accounts for nearly 9 billion gallons of water each day, mainly for landscape irrigation? The average U.S. household uses more water outdoors than most American homes use for showering and washing clothes combined.
By following some simple steps, you can have a water-smart landscape that's beautiful, healthy, and easy to maintain:
Design a water-smart landscape that is both beautiful and efficient to give your home the curb appeal you desire.
Timing is everything! Knowing when and how much to water allows you to keep a healthy landscape.
Upgrade to a WaterSense labeled controller if you have an in-ground irrigation system.
Find a certified irrigation professional to install, maintain, or audit your irrigation system to ensure it is watering at peak efficiency.-
Visit WaterSense's Landscape Photo Gallery for stunning real world examples of water-smart landscapes in your region. You can even submit your own!
Additional Resources
Your local water utility, landscaping and irrigation service providers, cooperative extension services, nurseries and garden centers can offer additional guidance that's best for your region. Also consider the following online resources to learn more about water-smart landscaping and water-saving technologies.
- Learn more about the concepts of water-smart landscape design (PDF) (14 pp, 13.9M, About PDF).
- Learn how Your Yard Can Be Greener (PDF) (4 pp, 615K, About PDF) with EPA's guide for water smart landscapes.
- See the Landscape for Life site
for comprehensive information on creating a sustainable landscape. - Visit the EPA GreenScapes website to learn what you can do to preserve natural resources while keeping your lawn and garden healthy.
- Visit the Alliance for Water Efficiency Resource Library for more information on landscape and irrigation water efficiency.
Looking for something a bit more technical?
Click here if you are part of the media, an educator, manufacturer, professional or promotional partner.
Helpline: (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) | Contact Us | Office of Water
WaterSense, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wastewater Management (4204M), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20460