Homes Businesses Industrial Water Conservation Energy Independence Act Power Hour Pay-It-Forward Home / Rebates / Water Conservation / Outdoor Water Audit / Outdoor Water Audit How are your outdoor watering habits? Take a quick quiz to gauge your water use. Top Tips for Using Water Wisely Watering in the early morning is best. The evening is the next best option. Heat and wind cause water to evaporate quickly. If you don't have an automatic timer on your irrigation system, use a kitchen timer. Make sure you're watering deeply and only as often as needed. Dig into the soil with your fingers to feel the moisture and only water when needed. Water for 30 minutes, wait a few hours, dig into the soil. Rewater and check, if necessary. Break your watering into two periods a couple hours apart if water does not penetrate the soil easily. Don't overwater. Overwatering can inhibit nutrient availability and rot plant roots. Use mulches to help the soil retain moisture, inhibit weed growth and prevent erosion. Check for leaks. Even a small leak can waste as much as 700 gallons per day.