Madison Park

High water demand contributes to water main breaks, higher bills

WaterSmart Programs and Tips

Irrigation, Lawn Watering and Outdoor Use From tips on planting to setting your sprinkler system in a way to, click here to learn more about ways to take care of your yard while using water most efficiently.    Indoor Water Conservation Did you know that leaking toilets are a leading cause of unusually high water bills? For more on how to ensure your plumbing is working correctly and other tips for lowering indoor water use, click here.    Smart Irrigation Our Smart Irrigation Program is designed to encourage high volume residential and commercial  irrigation customers to install high-efficiency smart irrigation controllers. By using daily weather satellite data and plant and site conditions, these smart controllers can cut irrigation use by 30 percent. For more, click here.   Resources and Partnerships Managing our water supply is a complex process that involves many partners. From municipalities both inside and outside of the Catawba River Basin to conservation groups and private sector companies, CMUD collaborates across organizational boundaries. For more, click here.

Outdoor Watering Tips
Watering and irrigating efficiently can improve by 20-40 percent, saving you money on your water bill. Try the tips below to get started.  

• Healthy landscapes need only one inch of water a week.
• Remove water-hogging weeds. Mulch to retain moisture. Mulch around trees, shrubs and flowers to help the soil retain moisture and prevent weeds.
• Prune plants—smaller plants require less water. 
• Use drip irrigation to apply water slowly and directly to the roots of plants and trees.
• Water during optimal time between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
• Install a rain sensor to prevent irrigation during a rain event.
• Inspect your irrigation system and equipment for leaks.
• Consider installing a smart controller for your irrigation system
• Test sprinklers and spray heads to ensure they work properly and direct them away from paved surfaces.

For much more detailed information about irrigation systems, backflow requirements and irrigation meters, please visit the Irrigation and Sprinklers section of our site. For more about smart irrigation, click here.