Water-wise tips and EPA WaterSense resources for Homeowners Associations

July is Smart Irrigation Month—an ideal time for Homeowners Associations (HOAs) to take a fresh look at outdoor water use. For many communities, landscape irrigation is the biggest driver of summer water bills. A few smart adjustments can reduce waste, support healthy landscapes, and stretch association dollars further. HOA boards can play a critical role by setting clear efficiency goals, prioritizing irrigation system improvements, and asking landscape contractors to identify the highest-impact opportunities for immediate savings.

The EPA’s WaterSense program offers practical, HOA-specific guidance for communities that want to improve outdoor water use. HOAs often need a unique mix of planning tools, communication resources, and technical support to make lasting improvements. These resources can help associations understand outdoor water use, build support with boards and residents, and take action through better landscape design, irrigation upgrades, and informed maintenance practices. Here are five practical steps HOAs can take this summer to improve efficiency.

• Review summer irrigation schedules and adjust for weather rather than watering by habit.
• Check for broken sprinkler heads, overspray onto pavement, and leaks that quietly waste water.
• Evaluate the need to maintain and irrigate non-functional turf areas.
• Install WaterSense labeled weather-based irrigation controllers to reduce overwatering.
• Share conservation goals with residents so the whole community understands how water efficiency supports both landscape quality and long-term cost control.

WaterSense highlights the value of smart irrigation technology. Weather-based irrigation controllers can significantly reduce overwatering by watering only when plants need it, and replacing a standard clock-based controller can save an average home up to 15,000 gallons of water annually when properly installed and operated. Across shared landscapes, those savings can add up quickly.

This Smart Irrigation Month, HOA boards have an opportunity to move from good intentions to action. Consider putting outdoor water efficiency on an upcoming board agenda, reviewing current irrigation performance, and identifying near-term upgrades that can reduce waste without sacrificing landscape quality. The EPA WaterSense Homeowner Associations page is a strong place to begin, with an HOA Outdoor Water Efficiency Roadmap, communication materials, and action-oriented resources designed to help boards and managers plan next steps with confidence.

These principles also apply to individual homes. Some HOA landscape rules encourage or require green lawns, but grass can remain viable with much less watering during summer months and recover quickly when rain returns in the fall. HOAs can support conservation by adopting flexible seasonal policies or reassuring residents that brown lawns during summer dry periods are acceptable under HOA guidelines.

As a general survival-watering guideline, applying about half an inch of water every two to three weeks can help keep turf alive during dry periods. This amount will not keep grass green; instead, it encourages summer dormancy—turning brown while hydrating the crown so the lawn can recover when cooler weather and rain return.

Tualatin Valley Water District is here to support customer efforts with technical assistance and rebates that make water-saving upgrades easier to pursue. Available incentives include rebates for WaterSense labeled weather-based irrigation controllers, high-efficiency irrigation nozzles, and WaterSense labeled high-efficiency toilets. These tools can help communities and households improve both outdoor and indoor water efficiency while making the most of available resources. Visit www.TVWD.org/outdoors.