U.S. Water News Online
DALLAS -- Texas SmartScape is a water conservation and quality program to reduce the amount of water, fertilizers and pesticides required to plant and maintain a beautiful landscape. Use of native and adapted plants and appropriate landscape maintenance techniques are the keys to conserving water and reducing the amount of fertilizer, pesticides and soil particles that contaminate lakes in an area, according to the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments has declared March Texas SmartScape month, to promote awareness of landscape water conservation. Check with your city or county or the NCTCOG Web site (www.dfw stormwater.com/SmartScape/index. html) to see what Texas SmartScape events are convenient for you to attend. Learn more about Texas SmartScape by attending an event and receiving a Texas SmartScape CD or visiting the Web site, www.tx smartscape.com.
According to the Texas Water Wise Council, at least a third of the water used to irrigate landscapes is wasted by overwatering. When irrigation water is applied faster or in greater quantities than the ground can absorb it, water runs down the street into a storm drain. Landscape runoff carries fertilizer, pesticides and soil into streams and lakes, where it contaminates local reservoirs.
One key to prevention of runoff is to audit your irrigation system to make sure it is working properly. Check sprinkler systems about every three years. Sprinkler heads become clogged with salts and soil. Plants grow in the way of proper water dispersal. Heads do not pop up properly.
The SmartScape Web tool provides a database about plants that will thrive in North Central Texas. The plant selection search displays a picture of the plant and other information to help viewers select the best plant for the right location.
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