To prevent runoff you may need to water a short time, wait a few minutes and then restart. Help water penetrate to your lawn's roots by aerating in the spring if soil is compacted or thatch is greater than inch. Mow your lawn higher and leave the clippings. Mulch all shrubs, trees, and beds with compost, wood chips or bark. Consider soaker hoses or drip irrigation for planting beds to send water directly down to the roots, minimizing water lost to evaporation or runoff.
Group plants together with similar water needs.
If mandatory watering restrictions become necessary, SPU and many of the water utilities served by SPU are developing provisions to exempt newly planted landscapes from a watering ban, unless we are in a water system emergency. Contact your water utility for more information. The Water Shortage Contingency Plan was developed following the 1987 drought during which water restrictions were implemented in an effort to curtail demand. The plan was revised most recently in July last year. The plan identifies stages and provides for adequate notification of customers should steps need to be taken to reduce demand for water.