Water Conservation Water experts believe half of the water applied to lawns is wasted.  Some of our turf is watered using municipal-treated (culinary) water.  This means watering is expensive and water conservation issues must be addressed. Water Requirements The amount of water needed for a bluegrass lawn in Utah varies according to the temperature, wind, humidity and solar radiation.  Lawns need less water in the spring and fall, but during mid-summer will require as much as 2 inches per week.  The following table is a general guide: To measure the water applied to a lawn, place at least five straight-sided, tall cans in various locations, at least four feet from a sprinkler head. Water for 15 minutes. Measure the depth of water in each can with a ruler and determine the average water depth in inches, by adding the number of inches together and dividing by five (the number of cans) Multiply this number by the number of times you are watering per week, for example: 15 minutes = 1/2 inch of water times 4 waterings per week = 2 inches of water per week. Water Penetration   To determine the depth of water penetration, push a long rod or screwdriver into the soil.  The rod will move easily through wet soil but will stop and become difficult to push when it hits dry soil.  Mark the rod at the soil line and pull it out. Measure te length the rod penetrated the soil and this is approximately the water penetration depth.  The amount of water applied, the time required to apply it, and the depth of penetration helps determine a watering schedule.  Lawns on sandy soils do not require more water than those on clay soils.  The grass still needs the same amount of water, but the frequency of application differs. Over-Watering Water is usually applied too often and left on too long so water runs down the gutter.  Turf studies show that most lawns only need to be watered once every 3 to 4 days to stay healthy and green.  Water infrequently and deeply.  A large water bill for a small lawn could mean it is being over-watered. Besides being expensive, over-watering damages the lawn, contributing to poor growth, and causing serious disease problems.  Over-watering contributes to iron chlorosis or yellowing in lawns, trees and shrubs, and makes more frequent fertilizer applications necessary. Improving a Watering Schedule If water is applied every day, the roots accumulate in the top 1 to 2 inches of soil.  This creates weak plants that are more subject to insect, disease, and drought damage. Train roots to penetrate deeper into the soil by changing the watering schedule to every other day for a couple of weeks, then every third day, and so on.  Eventually the grass responds and develops a root system to match the watering schedule. To calculate how much water to apply divide the amount of water needed for the week by the number of applications.  This should provide enough water to recharge the root zone and keep the lawn green and healthy. The following chart indicates the number of days between watering once the lawn has adjusted from a daily watering schedule: Approximate Time Between Water Applications Weekly   TYPE SOIL DAYS BETWEEN WATERINGS WATERINGS PER WEEK INCHES OF WATER PER WATERING Loam Soil 3 to 4 2 3/4 Sandy Soil 2 to 3 3 1/2 Clay Soil 4 to 6 1 1   Learn to water only when needed.  If grass does not spring back when it's stepped on, it's time to water.  Insect infestations or chemical misuse may cause symptoms resembling water problems.  It may be ncessary to consult a professional to solve the problem.