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During extended periods of hot, sunny weather, daily water demand can be more than double the average, mostly due to lawn and garden watering. The single day in summer that the water system delivers the most water to its customers is called the maximum day. The City must ensure that its water system can serve its customers during the maximum day, including providing water to fight fires should one occur.
Ways to Conserve:
- Be a Leak Seeker, Fix Them When You Find Them: Spring is a great time to check your pipes, hoses, faucets, and sprinklers for leaks. Even small drips can waste a lot of water. A pinhole sized leak can waste as much as 70 gallons of water in one day, enough to run the dishwasher several times. That’s over 25,000 gallons in a year! Learn more about the City's free hose repair kits and how you can fix your leaking hose!
- Get the Facts about Irrigation: Simple changes to sprinkler systems can save a lot of water and improve your landscape's health and appearance. Visit our irrigation page to learn how to spot leaks and make minor repairs and adjustments yourself!
- Rain Barrels: City water customers can receive a rebate of up to $20.00 each for the purchase of up to three rain barrels. Learn more about the rebate program and how you can build your own rain barrel. Using a rain barrel to collect rain water helps to conserve the water we all use for drinking and can also help reduce stormwater flows. You can collect about 55 gallons of rain water with each barrel. Rain barrels are containers placed under the downspout of a roof, where they collect rainwater that can be used for irrigation. For answers to our most frequently asked questions about rain barrels visit our rain barrel page.
Outdoor Water Conservation Tips:
- Water early or late so it won’t evaporate. Watering the lawn and garden in the early morning or evening allows the water to infiltrate the soil, so it will not evaporate in the heat of day. Avoid watering when it is windy or during the heat of day.
- Don’t overdo it. Your lawn needs only about one inch of water each week, including rain, to stay green. City of Olympia water customers can receive a free rain gauge to measure how much water their lawns get each week. E-mail us or call (360) 753-8271 to request one.
- Don’t apply water more rapidly than the soil can absorb it. If water is puddling, it’s time to stop.
- Replace or repair broken sprinkler heads promptly.
- Concrete won’t grow. Avoid watering streets, sidewalks, and driveways.
- Easy on, easy off. Outfit all garden hoses with self closing nozzles or timers.
- Install a drip irrigation system or use a soaker hose to give your plants’ roots a slow, steady supply of water.
- Pick the right plant. Use native perennials, shrubs, and trees when landscaping your yard. Native plants require less water in general than other varieties. Consider the water requirements of any new plants you purchase.
- Invest in your soil. Improve soil with compost and mulch around plants to minimize moisture loss.
- Use a broom rather than a hose to clean driveways, walkways, and sidewalks.
- Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle to wash the car. You can save up to 100 gallons every time you do.
- Monitor your water bill for unusually high water use. Your bill and your water meter are tools that can help you find and eliminate leaks.
Helping You to Conserve: FREE to City of Olympia Customers.
- Rain Gauges: Your lawn needs only about one inch of water each week, including rainfall, to stay green and healthy. If you are a City Of Olympia water customer and you would like a free rain gauge to measure how much water your lawn is getting each week, e-mail us (be sure to include your name, address, zip code, and daytime phone number) or call (360) 753-4444, ext. 8390 to order one.
- Rain Sensors: Rain sensors turn off automatic irrigation systems when it is raining, so you don’t have to water your lawn when nature is doing it for you. They are easy to install and adjust, and will fit all irrigation controllers. If you are a City of Olympia customer and you have an irrigation system, e-mail us (be sure to include your name, address, and phone number) or call (360) 753-4444, ext. 8390, to order one.
Sleeping Lawn Signs: The City of Olympia provides “This lawn’s isn't dead, it’s just sleeping” signs for water customers who choose to let their lawns go dormant. A dormant lawn saves water and money, and discourages crane fly larvae. Avoid heavy traffic on a dormant lawn, or regularly water high-use areas. When the rains come back in the fall, top dress with compost and overseed any thin areas to thicken the lawn. Please e-mail us or call (360) 753-8271 to request a Sleeping Lawn Sign.
- Irrigation System Check-ups: Residences, apartment complexes, and government offices that use higher-than-average amounts of water in the summer can receive a free irrigation system check-up from the City of Olympia. Check-ups include a detailed inspection by an irrigation professional of your irrigation system and practices.
- The auditor provides customers with an individualized report that includes recommendations on how to use water more efficiently while maintaining a healthy and beautiful landscape. Call (360) 753-8271, or e-mail us, to find out if you are eligible.
- Participants in this program can also receive rebates for the purchase of water-efficient devices recommended by the auditor in their personalized report, such as updated irrigation system controllers or sprinkler heads.
Need More Information about Public Works Programs or Services? Contact the Public Works office.
Physical Address: 924 7th Ave. SE, Suite A
Mailing Address: PO Box 1967, Olympia, WA 98507-1967
Download printer-friendly (PDF) directions to our office
Hours: M - F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except for City-recognized holidays)
Phone: (360) 753-8588
TTY: (360) 753-8270
Email: Public Works