The advantages of using lake, river and pond water

(The disadvantages of using chlorinated city water)

Using lake, river, well, or pond water will often save hundreds of dollars each month over the price of water from city water meters.

Lake, river, and pond water has a much higher content of rainwater so it is generally lower in mineral salts. The mineral salts usually present in municipal water supplies coming from deep wells contribute to excess alkalinity which is usually deterimental to plants.

During the growing season using water from city water meters is becoming quite controlled. In many cities you are forbidden from watering during daytime, and are limited to watering two times per week, but during stage water restrictions (summer droughts), they allow you to water only once per week. During water restriction times watering using hoses (even hand held) is forbidden. If water usage exceeds a certain limit the water department starts "bothering" you and they can pull your meter if you fail to cooperate.

Some authorities are claiming watering twice per week is enough - - but as a degreed horticulturist I beg to differ with them. When summer temperatures soar to 95 degrees and higher without any rainfall, twice per week is just not enough to maintain a lush, beautiful lawn and landscape, especially if your lawn and landscape are large and the city of Austin enforces their limit on total gallonage per month.

Warning: More & more cities such as Austin have "water police" on staff who drive the neighborhoods at day and night looking for violators. They write citations which are expensive as traffic tickets and are enforceable. They also encourage your neighbors to turn against you and "snitch" on you for water violations.