Water Wednesdays - Water Conservation Tips
Each week, Water Wednesdays shares practical tips, seasonal guidance, and water-wise ideas to help residents make informed choices at home and in their yards. These are not requirements, but recommended best practices developed with the expertise of our Public Works Department.
Our goal is simple: Empower our community with knowledge that makes water conservation easier, more effective, and part of everyday life in Tooele City.
When to Start Watering in Spring
In Tooele, spring weather can change quickly-warm one week and snow the next. With those fluctuations, it can feel like lawns need water sooner than they actually do.
But here's the key message this week: if you can wait, wait.
Most established lawns don't need consistent water until temperatures are steadily warm (around 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) over time-not just during short warm spells. Early-season "stress" is often temporary and weather-related, not a true need for irrigation.
As a general guideline, many years Mother's Day is a good target for starting sprinklers, since mid-May is typically when rainfall becomes less frequent and temperatures rise. In lower water years, it's even more important to start irrigating decorate landscaping alter than normal-not earlier.
Before turning on your sprinkler system, consider:
- Waiting through warm/cool cycles to see if conditions stabilize
- Checking soil moisture instead of grass color alone
- Remembering precipitation and cool nights still add moisture
When you do begin watering, start conservatively:
- Check your system: Make sure sprinklers are water plants—not rocks, sidewalks, or driveways
- Time your watering: Run sprinklers between 8:00 PM and 10:00 AM to reduce evaporation
- Use the screwdriver test: If a screwdriver slides easily into the soil, it's still moist—wait another day
Tooele City's voluntary watering schedule helps guide this seasonal transition and support conservation.
Water conservation resources: slowtheflow.org | conservewater.utah.gov | water.utah.gov
By waiting just a little longer in spring, we can make a big impact on water use throughout the entire summer.
Indoor Water Conservation Tips
When we talk about water conservation, it’s easy to focus on outdoor watering—but what we do inside our homes matters just as much.
Small changes indoors can add up to big water savings over time. Here are a few simple tips to get started:
- Take shorter showers
- Collect “warm-up” water while waiting for it to heat up—use it for plants or cleaning
- Only run the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads
- Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the fridge instead of running the tap until it’s cold
- Turn off the sink while brushing your teeth or shaving
- Defrost food in the refrigerator instead of using running water
- Fix leaks promptly
- Consider installing low-flow fixtures
Looking for more ideas? Check out additional indoor water-saving tips at slowtheflow.org/indoor-tips/.
Curious how much water your household uses? Try the Water Use Calculator at home-water-works.org/.
You may also qualify for rebates that make water-efficient upgrades more affordable. For example, Utah Water Savers offers a toilet replacement program that can help offset the cost of upgrading to a more efficient model. Learn more at utahwatersavers.com/toiletreplacementprogram.
This Water Wednesday, take a look around your home—simple changes today can lead to lasting water savings tomorrow.
Wind and Water Loss
Spring in Tooele doesn't just bring sunshine–it brings wind.
And wind can quietly waste a lot of water.
When sprinklers run on windy days, water gets blown off target–landing on sidewalks, streets, or evaporating before it ever reaches your lawn.
Even without turning on your system, windy days are a great time to take a quick look around your yard:
- Notice where water would overspray (sidewalks, fences, driveways)
- Check for tilted or damaged sprinkler heads
- Look for areas where water tends to run off instead of soak in
- Make sure mulch or soil isn't blowing away
These small checks now can help prevent wasted water later.
Video: https://www.facebook.com/reel/3720973138042524/
Water Wednesday Words of Wisdom
Native & Drought-Tolerant Plants for Tooele Valley
Creating a water-wise yard does not have to mean tearing everything out and starting over. One of the easiest ways to build a more drought-ready landscape is by gradually adding plants that naturally do well in Utah's dry climate.
Many native and drought-tolerant plants can thrive in the Tooele Valley while using less water once established. A few options to consider include:
- Buckwheat - A hardy Utah native with colorful blooms that pollinators love.
- Globemallow - Bright orange flowers and well adapted to Utah's dry conditions.
- Serviceberry - A beautiful shrub with spring flowers, berries for wildlife, and great fall color.
- Penstemon - A low-water perennial that adds vibrant color and attracts hummingbirds.
- Lavender & Catmint - Fragrant, hardy options that tolerate heat and lower water use.
- Yucca & Red Yucca - Tough, eye-catching plants that handle hot, dry summers well.
Before heading to the nursery, it is a good idea to research what works best for your yard's sunlight, soil, and space. Even swapping out a few thirsty plants over time can make a different.
Looking for more ideas? Utah's Division of Natural Resources is hosting a free DIY webinar on May 27: "Build a Drought-Ready Yard, Without Starting Over." Tune in for practical, water-wise landscaping tips you can use right away. Watch here: TinyURL.com/MayDIYWebinar.