• Water your lawn only when it needs it.   To check, step on the grass.  If it springs back up after you move, it does not need water.  If it stays flat, then its time to water.

• Deep-soak your lawn.  Make sure you water long enough for the moisture to soak down all the way to the root zone.  A light watering evaporates quickly and tends to encourage shallow root systems.  Check out the lawn water guide developed by the Alameda County Water District at http://www.acwd.org/waterconserv-landscape.html.

• Set your irrigation system to run in the early morning or late evening, when the water is less likely to be lost due to evaporation or wind.

• Get rid of weeds, which compete with your ornamental plants for water.

• Don't water the gutter, sidewalks and driveways.  Position sprinklers so water lands on the lawn or garden, not paved areas. 

• Plant drought-resistant trees and plants.  There are many beautiful trees and plants that thrive with less water.  For a listing of drought-resistant trees and plants that do well in the Bay area go to, http://www.ccwater.com/conserve/c-wwplant.asp, the Contra Costa Water District's Web Site.

• Put down a layer of mulch around trees and plants.  Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture and discourage weed growth.   For an extensive landscape Water Wise guide visit the Santa Clara Valley Water District at http://www.heynoah.com/Water/Water_conservation/.

• Check your landscaping often for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets, sprinklers and couplings.  Small leaks can add up to large water loss.

Visit Stanford Utilities WaterWise Demonstration Garden web site, at http://grounds.stanford.edu/points/waterwise.htm, to view local examples of native and drought resistant landscaping options.