During the summer, water demand in our service area increases by about 60 percent, mostly due to outdoor water use. This increased use can strain the water supply, because rainfall decreases during the summer and water must be shared between customers, recreational users and fish.

Fall is a great time of year to prepare your yard to save water next summer. Now is the time to build healthy soil, plant water-wise plants, and even begin work on removing grass to create more landscaping beds or garden space. There is a whole world of water saving opportunities outside your front door:

• Practice natural yard care
• Wash your car the water smart way
• Collect rainwater
• Use a sprinkler timer to shut off sprinklers or soaker hoses after a set amount of time
• Use a hose nozzle to shut off water flow when you're using a hose