California American Water Reminds Customers to Turn Down Their Sprinklers When They Turn Back Their Clocks This Weekend

As daylight savings comes to an end, coinciding with the beginning of the rainy season, customers are urged to monitor their residential sprinklers to ensure they’re not on during rain showers. By reducing irrigation in the winter and shutting off sprinklers during rainy periods, customers can save water while maintaining healthy landscaping.

“With our busy lives and the holidays around the corner, it’s easy for folks to forget their sprinkler system may still be on a summer watering schedule,” said Rob MacLean, president of California American Water. “That’s why we’re encouraging customers to monitor their home irrigation systems and make sure they are not overwatering. It’s a waste of money, water and can damage landscaping.”

Overwatering can be more damaging to plants than drought. Landscaping experts estimate that 90 percent of plants die from too much water. Soggy soil can prevent nutrients and air from reaching plant roots, inviting unwanted diseases such as root rot.

If there is a long break between rainy days, California American Water recommends manually watering landscape with a hose equipped with a low-flow hose nozzle. One way to test if a garden needs watering is by pushing a screwdriver into the ground. If it goes in easily, the soil is moist and the landscaping doesn't need water.

California American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 600,000 people.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

In 2011, American Water is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a yearlong campaign to promote water efficiency and the importance of protecting water from source to tap. To learn more, visit www.amwater125.com.