Summer watering rules take effect today

It's time again to reset your irrigation clocks.

Summer watering rules go into effect today and last through Aug. 31. During this period, use of lawn sprinkler systems is banned between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. The regional water authority suggests no more than 12 minutes of watering on any one day, ideally in three to four-minute cycles to give the soil time to absorb the water.

Watering is allowed every day, but J.C. Davis, a spokesman for the water authority, said that those with drip-based irrigation systems do not need to water every day, and those who do so can end up drowning their plants.

"They are thinking that because they can run their water seven days, they should," he said. "It's more like three."

More information on summer watering restrictions and summer landscape care is available at snwa.com.