Broken or missing sprinkler heads can waste more than 12 gallons of water per minute. Don't water if rain is in the forecast. Use a watering can for patio plants. Watering with a hose may put more water on the patio than in the container when you move from plant to plant. Increase your mowing height to 3 inches or more.
Longer leaf blades protect roots from the sun and help retain moisture.
Consider converting thirsty turf into natural areas. W ater availability doesn't necessarily depend on rainfall. Our town's reservoir can be full of water, but if our water-treatment facility can't handle the demand for water in the middle of summer, water shortages result. Knowing that demand can cause a water shortage means we must learn to conserve water whenever and wherever possible, both inside and outside our homes.