Water Conservation in Landscaping
Oscar Kong ’25
Daphne Wong ’26
Irrigation for agricultural practices accounts for 42% of total freshwater withdrawals in the U.S. (USDA, 2018). Most Americans are fortunate to turn on the hose and have fresh water gush out, but water security in rural countries is heavily compromised. Although landscaping is a common practice in American households, water-wise landscaping can significantly reduce the daily water usage.
Xeriscaping, a type of landscaping that incorporates water-wise or native plants, promotes an easily maintainable landscape that saves time and money while minimizing water usage. Water-wise plants grow in places with lower precipitation and therefore require less water throughout the growing season (Hanson, 2015). These plants are native to dry environments, such as those in Nevada, which are more accustomed to receiving less water and thriving in arid conditions (Andrews, n.d.). Moreover, native plants are acclimated to their local ecosystem and would require little to no additional care, such as constant watering and fertilizing. Incorporating xeric plants in hydrozoning results in a diverse landscape while maximizing the water conservation properties of xeric plants. Hydrozoning is a practice where plants with similar water requirements are grouped together. Mesic plants – those that require consistent moisture – can be hydrozoned and still be a part of a xeriscape despite their constant need for water.
Aside from choosing water-wise plants to incorporate into your landscape, utilizing water-efficient irrigation systems also aids with conserving water in landscaping. Despite the popularity of using sprinklers to water lawns, 30 to 50% of the water evaporates into thin air (Green, n.d.). This highly inefficient practice can be replaced by drip irrigation, a cost-effective and water-conserving system. With drip irrigation, the water seeps into the soil, which prevents excessive evaporation and water runoffs with a 90% efficiency (Green, n.d.). Not only do drip irrigation systems conserve water, but they also conserve labor compared to manual watering, as most of these systems are automated.
Water conservation is often overlooked in landscaping, as the appearance of one’s lawn is usually prioritized over practicality and sustainability. However, homeowners can help the environment by reducing their water usage through measures such as hydrozoning, xeriscapes and efficient irrigation.
References
Andrews, A., & Kratsch, H. (n.d.). Native Plants Help Conserve Water. Extension | University of Nevada, Reno.
https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=2094
Green, J. (n.d.). Which Type of Irrigation Loses the Most Water to Evaporation? Home Guides | SF Gate.
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/type-irrigation-loses-water-evaporation-100415.html
Hanson, J. (2015, September 4). WORD-WISE ABOUT WATER-WISE - @theU. Attheu.utah.edu.
https://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/word-wise-about-water-wise/
USDA. (2018). USDA ERS - Irrigation & Water Use. Usda.gov. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-practices-management/irrigation-
