Outdoor Water Conservation

During the dry, summer months, outdoor water use often doubles our daily average drinking water consumption from 10 to 20 million gallons per day. This places an extra strain on the City's drinking water supply. Watering lawns and landscapes accounts for 80-90% of the increase. It is estimated that nearly half of this water is wasted due to evaporation loss, over-watering and runoff.

Pledge to Reduce Your Outdoor Watering

Would you like to reduce your outdoor watering to save money, time, and a valuable natural resource? Complete our water conservation pledge ​to learn more about saving water and to get some FREE outdoor water conservation tools mailed to your home (if you are a City water customer). Completing the pledge takes less than five minutes. 

Smart Watering Tips​​

• Follow the voluntary summer watering schedule. Bellingham residents are asked to limit watering from June 1 to September 15 annually to reduce stress on the City's drinking water supply. 

• The average lawn requires only one inch of water per week to stay green. Overwatering doesn’t improve your lawn’s health and results in runoff and water waste. ​

• ​Regularly check and adjust your sprinklers. Water only your lawn and not the pavement. See if you qualify for an irrigation controller rebate. ​

• In order to reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation, the best time to water your lawn is in the mornings between 7am-10am.

• Mow your lawn with blades set high; grass that is 2” to 3” tall prom​otes a healthier root system and helps retain soil moisture.

• Consider replacing lawn with native plants to use less water, fewer chemicals, and eliminate mowing.​

• Use a commercial car wash​ to wash your car. They use water more efficiently by treating it and reusing it. 

Find more outdoor water conservation tips​ here.

Water Conservation for Irrigation Systems

Irrigation systems have ample opportunities to waste water therefore ample opportunities to implement water conservation practices. The Irrigation System Best Management Practices guide outlines 13 best management practices to help improve the functionality of your irrigation system and conserve water at the same time. ​​

Voluntary Outdoor Watering Schedule

Rainwater Harvesting

Removing a Lawn without Herbicides (PDF)

Water-wise Gardening (PDF)

Native Plants for your Northwest Garden (PDF)

Native Plants of Western Washington (PDF)

Naturals in the Perennial Garden (PDF)

Soaker Hoses (PDF)

Drip Irrigation (PDF)

Winterize Your Water System (PDF)