High-efficiency rotary nozzles slowly deliver streams of water, allowing more time for water to soak into the ground reducing water waste. In contrast, other sprinkler nozzles deliver the water more quickly and water can spill or overflow onto the sidewalk or road. One of the benefits of rotary nozzles is the water is distributed in a more condensed stream resulting in less drift from wind. High-efficiency nozzles can easily be installed on most popup spray heads. While, rotary nozzles use less water they do require longer watering times. For more information on recommended watering times visit Utah’s Division of Water Resources weekly watering guide and see the cycle recommendations for MSMT Heads.

Eligible Models for the Rebate include:

• Hunter MP Rotator
• Rain Bird Rotary Nozzles
• Toro Precision Rotary Nozzles
• K-Rain Rotary Nozzles

The rebate is $3 per sprinkler nozzle with a minimum purchase of 10 and a maximum purchase of 25. To apply for the rebate submit a High-Efficiency Sprinkler Nozzle application.

Want to improve watering practices even more? Try the cycle and soak method. This strategy works well for areas with clay soils and breaks up your watering times into shorter periods with breaks in between each cycle to allow water to soak deeper into the ground. This helps encourage deeper root growth for plants and reduces wasted runoff from saturated clay soils.

If you are having issues with misting it could be from clogged nozzles or the water pressure being too high. One potential fix is to install pressure regulating sprinkler bodies. For more information on WaterSense labeled sprinkler bodies visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website.

Parkstrips four feet wide or less are difficult to water efficiently with traditional pop up spray sprinklers. This is because of significant overspray onto sidewalks and roadways. To reduce water waste, Provo City is incentivizing the removal of spray sprinkling systems in parkstrips less than four feet wide by offering partial reimbursements to replace turf with waterwise landscaping or permeable pavers.

Those who replace turf with a waterwise landscape can receive a reimbursement of $4 per square foot. Those who replace turf with permeable pavers can receive a reimbursement of $2.50 per square foot.

Waterwise landscapes must have at least 40% of the area covered by vegetation at maturity. Acceptable vegetation includes shrubs, flowers, or living groundcover. The remaining area should be covered with organic mulch. Drip irrigation should be used to water waterwise landscapes. In all cases, existing trees within parkstrips should be preserved and care taken to ensure that these trees continue to be adequately watered.

Permeable pavers do not require a watering system but allow natural precipitation to infiltrate into the ground. Permeable pavers include space between paving stones and different layers of gravel and rock to help the water infiltrate into the ground.

An application must be submitted to Provo City prior to beginning the landscape conversion project. If funds are available and the project qualifies for partial reimbursement, authorization to proceed will be provided. Reimbursements will be issued after a Statement of Completion is received by Provo and project completion verified either by pictures or an onsite visit.

Submit a Narrow Parkstrip Conversion project application. 

Provo Turf Trade is Open!

Purchase Grass Seed.

There is a limited supply of seed and could sell out fast. If supplies run out please reach out to local seed suppliers for drought tolerant mixes. You can also sign up for the mailing list for updates on when more seed becomes available.

Over 60% of water that residents use is outdoors. If you are looking to conserve water and lower your water bill there are a variety of options available, from changing landscape surfaces, using low water use plants, as well as replacing lawns with a more drought tolerant turfgrass.

Provo City has partnered with the Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) to offer a limited supply of low water use grass seed, identified by Utah State University, to residents. This grass needs at least 30% less water than the usual bluegrass lawn. This blend includes tall fescue and a little bit of bluegrass.

Grass seed is sold in 5 pound bags for $6.50 + tax. One bag covers approximately 1,000 square feet.

Residents will need their water account number (located in the top left corner of your bill) in order to be eligible to purchase the seed. Seed is available on a first come first serve basis. If we run out of seed you can still reach out to seed suppliers in the area and buy drought tolerant seed mixes.

Follow these steps for planting the new seed:

1. Kill your grass and mow it low.
2. Spread the seed and add a little compost to help keep soil moist.
3. Water the seed for germination. This only takes a few minutes twice a day. Too much water could cause the seed to rot.

Videos on how to plant the seed were created by the Center for Water Efficiency and Salt Lake City. Click here to view the videos.

Once your lawn is established you can follow the new Weekly Lawn Watering Guide from the Utah Division of Water Resources for Low Water Use Grasses. View the watering recommendations.

Lawns have a variety of benefits other than an enjoyable surface for kids to run around on. Turfgrass helps water better infiltrate through the soil, slows down runoff water, reduces soil erosion, and helps cool the air.

Smart Water Controllers are an easy tool to help reduce the amount of water you are using on your lawn. There are two types of smart controllers one that measures the soil moisture of your lawn and others that monitor the weather. These smart controllers will delay watering your lawn in wet conditions. This helps you more easily avoid overwatering your lawn, as well as helping reduce your water bill.

Provo City as a member of the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) receives discounts for residents to purchase a Rachio Smart Controller. Visit go.rachio.com/a4we to buy and view discounts on Rachio controllers. In order to purchase the controller at a discounted price you will need your water utility account number (located in the top left corner of your bill) and select Provo City in the drop-down menu.

There are a variety of other controllers you can choose to buy. Any WaterSense-labeled controller is also eligible for a rebate through Utah Water Savers. Visit utahwatersavers.com to learn more about Utah Water Savers rebates.

Remember, even with a smart controller it is important to regularly monitor and adjust your sprinklers to avoid wasting water.

If you have questions about the program or Rachio controllers, please email awe@rachio.com.

Trees are a valuable asset to our community and water used to maintain trees is a beneficial use of our water resources. Provo Power offers Free Shade Trees for Energy Conservation for residential customers every year. Check out the NatureShade page to request your free tree. (The NatureShade Program is offered as a lottery that is opened in the summer months. Be sure to follow Provo Power on social media for updates and program opening!)

Shade trees have many benefits that include improving air quality, lowering energy bills, and help in conserving water. Shade trees can also help cool your home, as well as reduce the amount of water your lawn needs by conserving soil moisture.

Provo Power also has a Tree Selection guide. This guide has many different types and species of trees that grow well in our city. There are also tips and tricks about planting trees that can be a good reference for any level of a green thumb.

If you have any questions on tree planting we’re here to help. Feel free to contact our City Forester at 801-852-6920.

Tree Care Tips:

Trees that are planted in the landscape can live a very long time if they are cared for correctly. There are a few steps that can be taken to ensure trees grow well and live longer. If you have any question on the care of trees call the Provo City Forestry Division at (801) 852-6920.

1. Correct Location: One of the most critical steps in making sure a tree does well in your landscape is selecting the right tree for the right place. Make sure there is enough room for the tree to grow to its full size. Also make sure there is enough room for roots to grow. The roots on most trees extend out farther than the canopy of the tree.
2. Proper Pruning: Pruning can ensure the tree grows to the size and shape you want. When performed correctly, it can also improve the structure of the tree. Before pruning any tree make sure you know how to prune it without damaging the tree. Improper pruning can make the tree more susceptible to diseases and insects, weaken the tree, shorten the life of the tree, and take away from the aesthetics of the tree. Pruning near power lines or any other utility lines should only be done by a certified professional. Contact the Provo City Forestry Division (801) 852-6920.
3. Never Top Trees: Topping is the practice of severely cutting back a tree’s limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter. It is the most hazardous pruning method available. When a tree is topped, it can lead to weakened limbs and even tree death. It also causes the tree to grow many new limbs around the cuts that are made; these limbs grow rapidly and have weak attachments to the tree. These weakly attached limbs become a liability because they often fall off causing property damage or personal injury or death. Finally, trees that are topped are an eyesore in any landscape.
4. Proper Watering Practices: Established trees need deep watering once a week. When watering use low pressure to help water seep to a depth of at least 12 inches. Young trees need a deep watering every two to three days. Over watering is just as unhealthy for a tree as under watering. Care must be taken to make sure too much water isn’t applied. To keep water from evaporating from the soil apply two to four inches of wood chips or organic mulch around the base of the tree.

1. Water Less Frequently

Over-watering can be just as harmful to plants as under-watering. When watering your landscapes you should water less frequently but more deeply to encourage roots to grow deeper into the ground. Watering in the early morning or evening leads to less evaporation.

2. Understand the Water Needs of Your Landscape

Trees, shrubs, groundcover, and turf all have different water needs. When choosing plants to incorporate in your yard, talk to garden and nursery experts about how much water they need. Adjust your irrigation by putting vegetation with similar water needs on the same sprinkler zone. 

3. Regularly Check Your Sprinkler System

It's a good idea to check your sprinkler system once a month if not more frequently. Make sure there are no broken sprinkler heads or leaks. Broken sprinklers can lead to large amounts of water flowing out of our yards and into the storm drain. These checks can also help you know if your plants are getting the water they need. Adjust sprinklers so they don't water the driveway, sidewalks, or roads.

 4. Consider Low-Water Use Grasses instead of Gravel or Concrete

Replacing lawn with gravel increases the "urban heat island" effect. Large areas of gravel increase the temperature in the air and soil, putting additional pressure on surrounding plants and trees. This reaction often requires more water to maintain plants in that environment. It can also increase the temperature of your home requiring more energy to be used on air conditioning. Instead of gravel consider low-water use grasses or groundcovers.

5. Focus on Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs are more expensive to replace than lawn and are long term investments. Taking care of our trees should be a top priority. Trees benefit the community by improving air quality, reduce urban temperatures, and reduce energy use in buildings among many other advantages.

6. Do a Soil Test Before Watering

Use a long screwdriver and push it into the soil in your lawn. If the screwdriver goes in easily the soil is moist and doesn't need water.  

7. Use Organic Mulch

One of the best ways to improve soil health is utilizing organic mulch. Applying a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch around trees and shrubs helps the soil stay cooler, retains moisture longer, and suppresses weeds. 

8. Adjust Mower Height

Mowing at a higher setting and letting your grass grow helps the roots grow deep. Low cut grass results in shallower roots, which require more water and are less drought tolerant.

For more tips on being waterwise visit the Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping or Slow the Flow.

Utah State University's Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping holds a monthly webinar on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Register for webinars and view recordings of past webinars.