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Before you uncoil the hose and break out the sprinkler, check out our tips for a water-wise summer. From advice about watering your lawn or garden to rebates and free water-saving devices, we cover what you need to know to save water and money this summer.
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This year's warm winter and relatively dry spring may have you wondering about Portland's water supply. Despite these conditions, the Portland Water Bureau expects to have enough water throughout this year.
Portland benefits from two reliable drinking water sources that keep water flowing all year long. For well over a century, our primary water source, the Bull Run Watershed, has been providing high-quality water to Portlanders and others in the region. The Columbia South Shore Well Field, our secondary water source, provides high-quality groundwater. We use the well field when we need to supplement or temporarily replace the Bull Run's supply.
Learn more about how we keep water flowing even when the weather is dry.
Even though we don't anticipate water supply issues this year, it's always a good idea to use water wisely. And being efficient helps save you money!
Watering your lawn or garden
Whether you have an automatic irrigation system or water by hand, there are some simple ways to make sure you're using water as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Add mulch to your soil to help it absorb and store water. Prepare your soil to ensure proper drainage and water-holding capacity. Soil in the Portland region is mostly clay or sandy, so it's a good idea to amend it with mulch or compost. This will increase your soil's ability to absorb and store water, reducing the amount of water you need to use.
- Sign up for the Weekly Watering Number. You'll get weekly updates telling you how much to water based on local weather conditions. Sign up to receive your personalized Weekly Watering Number.
- Review your irrigation schedule. Plants rarely need daily irrigation. Is your system running longer than needed? Fine tune your schedule by:
- Watering your lawn with one inch of water per week (or more during long, hot dry spells). Water lawns separately from other plants. The best practice for watering your landscape is to apply 50 percent of what you put on grass to perennials and shrubs and 75 percent to vegetables (but new plant starts need more water).
- Watering early in the morning. Early morning watering helps avoid wind and heat that can cause water to evaporate more quickly.
- Check your automatic irrigation system with a monthly walk-through. Run each zone in your system and check for excessive runoff. Also look for broken or misaligned sprinkler heads that could be watering your sidewalk or driveway instead of your plants!
Find a pro to help with your irrigation needs
How you choose to irrigate depends on your budget, the type of plants you have, and the size of your landscape. WaterSense and their certifying partners maintain a directory of certified landscape professionals that's updated quarterly. The contractors listed have successfully completed at least one WaterSense-labeled professional certification program focused on water efficiency.
Find a WaterSense landscape pro
Read more about saving water outdoors with manual, drip, and in-ground automatic irrigation systems.
Outdoor rebates
The Portland Water Bureau offers rebates up to $100 for residential customers who install an approved WaterSense-labeled irrigation controller. Commercial and multifamily customers can receive up to $500 for an approved controller. A rebate of $3 per eligible multistream rotating nozzle is also available. Any active City of Portland drinking water account is eligible. With proper installation, programming, and maintenance, homeowners and businesses can use these upgrades to save thousands of gallons of water each year!
Free water-saving devices for your home
Watering by hand can be a smart way to water too! If you hand water with a hose, a self-closing hose nozzle is an easy way to use water only where you need it. Get a free hose nozzle and other water-saving devices from the Portland Water Bureau.