Over Watering
Over watering of lawns and landscapes is a very common problem. When overwatering occurs, heavy and poorly drained soils become waterlogged. This causes the roots of grasses and other plants to suffocate and die. This means that over-watering is not only bad for the environment, it’s bad for your budget and lawn!
|
Severe Environmental Impacts
The use of water for lawns and landscaping increases demand on an already stressed system. Water supplies are ever-decreasing due to population growth. We are using fresh water faster than nature can restore it.
It’s important to realize that 30% - 60% of a household’s water use is outdoors, and more than half of that is for watering lawns and gardens (9 billion gallons per day nation-wide). Up to 50% of outdoor water is wasted via evaporation, wind, runoff (inefficient irrigation). What we want to do is to make sure that we understand how to prevent over-watering and recognize it if it does occur.
It’s important to realize that 30% - 60% of a household’s water use is outdoors, and more than half of that is for watering lawns and gardens (9 billion gallons per day nation-wide). Up to 50% of outdoor water is wasted via evaporation, wind, runoff (inefficient irrigation). What we want to do is to make sure that we understand how to prevent over-watering and recognize it if it does occur.
A Major Culprit
The most typical cause of overwatering is frequent, short watering which cause waterlogged top-soil and prevent water from reaching deep in the soil. This also causes roots to be superficial over time. Other factors that lead to overwatering include inappropriate plants (low water needs) planted in water-concentrated areas and not adjusting watering by season or weather.
Financial Impact
Financial impacts of overwatering include increases in water and sewage. The most typical cause of overwatering is frequent, short watering which cause waterlogged top-soil and prevent water from reaching deep in the soil. This also causes roots to be superficial over time. Other factors that lead to overwatering include inappropriate plants (low water needs) planted in water-concentrated areas and not adjusting watering by season or weather.
The Signs
Signs of overwatering include yellow leaves on plants, leaf discoloration, water blisters on stems and leaves, stunted or slow growth, and root rot (see below).
Pollution
Fertilizers and weed killers used on lawns are collected in storm-water run-off. This run off is piped away from your home and moved to local streams and rivers. It is important to realize that whatever is in the water, stays there! Extra fertilizers from lawns move into streams and can be harmful to living beings and the ecosystems it invades.
Pet waste in yards brings harmful bacteria into storm-water run-off. Be sure to bag all pet waste from your yard. Not doing so could cause infestations in local water sources.
The potential for issues from polluted storm water run off is huge. We see algae blooms resulting in dead zones in freshwater and coastal areas. We also see an effect on the ecology of bodies of water from the extra sediment in storm water runoff.
Over 70 million pounds of insecticides are used in American lawns annually. These pesticides from lawns are also collected in storm-water run-off.
Pet waste in yards brings harmful bacteria into storm-water run-off. Be sure to bag all pet waste from your yard. Not doing so could cause infestations in local water sources.
The potential for issues from polluted storm water run off is huge. We see algae blooms resulting in dead zones in freshwater and coastal areas. We also see an effect on the ecology of bodies of water from the extra sediment in storm water runoff.
Over 70 million pounds of insecticides are used in American lawns annually. These pesticides from lawns are also collected in storm-water run-off.
Health Issues
People consuming food exposed to contaminated water can contract foodborne illnesses (E. coli, Salmonella, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, etc.). This is why it is so important to clean up pet waste!
Ingestion of nitrogen fertilizers is primarily presented by ingestion of contaminated drinking water.
Pesticides present many human health issues such as being carcinogens, neurotoxins, endocrine system disruptors, and can cause birth defects.
Drinking water contaminated with nitrate (the final product of nitrogen fertilizer break-down) can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome), various cancers, neural tube defects and other reproductive issues, diabetes, and thyroid conditions.
Rural and agricultural populations are at the greatest risk for health issues from contaminated water, as 90% of residents in these areas use wells that are not regulated by the EPA. For information about testing private well water, visit the CDC website.
Ingestion of nitrogen fertilizers is primarily presented by ingestion of contaminated drinking water.
Pesticides present many human health issues such as being carcinogens, neurotoxins, endocrine system disruptors, and can cause birth defects.
Drinking water contaminated with nitrate (the final product of nitrogen fertilizer break-down) can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome), various cancers, neural tube defects and other reproductive issues, diabetes, and thyroid conditions.
Rural and agricultural populations are at the greatest risk for health issues from contaminated water, as 90% of residents in these areas use wells that are not regulated by the EPA. For information about testing private well water, visit the CDC website.
Water Re-use and Conservation
The use of Rain Gardens to absorb water from disconnected downspouts is a common practice. Rain barrels to re-use water later and prevent it from becoming run-off are also great. For more information on how to implement these, see our blog.
Limit impervious surfaces in landscaping. These surfaces increase water runoff. Use bricks, gravel, natural stones, and permeable pavers instead of concrete or asphalt.
There are several solutions for overwatering. Test grass (spring test) before watering. Test soil (deep, not surface) before watering. Remember to adjust watering for the season/weather and the type of plant being watered and use timed watering systems. In using these steps, you can irrigate your soil properly. Doing so can reduce water waste by up to 15% at nearly 9,000 gallons annually.
Consider alternatives to fertilizers. Leave lawn clippings on lawn, and use organic compost. Eliminate the need for annual fertilizer use by using alternate ground cover (not grass).
Use a WaterSense labeled irrigation control for watering systems. This system acts like a thermostat and only waters plants when when they need it. If every automatic sprinkler system in the US were replaced with a WaterSense irrigation controller, $435 million could be saved each year in water costs.
If you must water your lawn, be sure to avoid the hottest part of the day (11am – 3pm). This helps reduce the amount of water wasted in the wind and by evaporation. Try watering between 6-10am. Also, use a rain gauge, and ensure you are not watering just before it rains.
Limit impervious surfaces in landscaping. These surfaces increase water runoff. Use bricks, gravel, natural stones, and permeable pavers instead of concrete or asphalt.
There are several solutions for overwatering. Test grass (spring test) before watering. Test soil (deep, not surface) before watering. Remember to adjust watering for the season/weather and the type of plant being watered and use timed watering systems. In using these steps, you can irrigate your soil properly. Doing so can reduce water waste by up to 15% at nearly 9,000 gallons annually.
Consider alternatives to fertilizers. Leave lawn clippings on lawn, and use organic compost. Eliminate the need for annual fertilizer use by using alternate ground cover (not grass).
Use a WaterSense labeled irrigation control for watering systems. This system acts like a thermostat and only waters plants when when they need it. If every automatic sprinkler system in the US were replaced with a WaterSense irrigation controller, $435 million could be saved each year in water costs.
If you must water your lawn, be sure to avoid the hottest part of the day (11am – 3pm). This helps reduce the amount of water wasted in the wind and by evaporation. Try watering between 6-10am. Also, use a rain gauge, and ensure you are not watering just before it rains.
Sources:
|