Denver Water’s recent parody song, “I Water That Way,” is one of the funniest and best-done parodies you’ll ever see.

But when you get done laughing, remember the great tips for outdoor water use.

The lyrics contain a flurry of responsible watering tips, including: 

“Don’t water when it’s rainin’
Don’t water when it’s windy
Don’t let your water wash away”

Water is a finite resource, so it is essential to practice conservation, particularly considering most residential water use happens outdoors (irrigation, washing vehicles, etc.).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers some tips to conserve water outdoors:

• Only water the lawn when necessary. If you water your lawn and garden, only do it once a week, if rainfall isn't sufficient. Avoid watering on windy and hot days. Water the lawn and garden in the morning or late in the evening to maximize the amount of water which reaches the plant roots (otherwise most of the water will evaporate). Use soaker hoses to water gardens and flower beds. If sprinklers are used, take care to be sure they don't water walkways and buildings.
• Apply mulch around shrubs and flower beds to reduce evaporation, promote plant growth and control weeds.
• Add compost or an organic matter to soil as necessary, to improve soil conditions and water retention.
• Collect rainfall for irrigation in a screened container (to prevent mosquito larvae growth).
• When washing a car, wet it quickly, then use a bucket of water to wash the car. Turn on the hose to final rinse (or let Mother Nature wash your car when it rains).
• Always use a broom to clean walkways, driveways, decks and porches, rather than hosing off these areas.