Residential landscape water use in 13 North Carolina communities

In 2009, North Carolina State University researchers conducted a survey of residents from 13 North Carolina communities to gather information on attitudes and behaviors related to landscape water use. The survey gathered information on landscape type, water use, and the effectiveness of watering restrictions. Actual water-use data for a two-year period was anonymously matched with participating households. The survey achieved a 49% response rate. Most respondents indicated that more than 75% of their landscape consisted of lawn, with 60% using warm-season turfgrass species. Those whose lawns were planted with cool-season grass used more water than those whose lawns were planted with warm-season species. A total of 42% of respondents restricted their landscape water use to new plantings or stressed plants. More than 88% of respondents watered by hand. In most communities, no watering restrictions were in place during this survey. Water purveyors can use the results of this survey to better understand their customers' outdoor water use and thus develop effective education programs on water conservation techniques related to landscape irrigation.