What's Your Water IQ?

Find out how much you know about water—and how to save it—by taking this quick quiz. At the end you’ll receive your Water IQ score and learn what you can do to raise it (unless, of course, you’re a water genius and get them all right).

1. The Water IQ program is asking everyone
to use just 5 percent less water. Lowering your water use by just
5 percent will:

Kill your lawn
Help make our water supply last
Immediately end the drought
Mean you can’t take showers on Tuesdays

2. Which of these tips will help save water around your home
and raise your Water IQ?

Only water your lawn about an inch a week
Water only before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. — never during the middle of the day
Operate your in-ground sprinkler system manually instead of using the timer
Use soaker hoses to water beds, shrubs and trees
All of the above

3. Operating sprinkler systems with an automatic timer helps save water.

True
False

4. If the water level in your swimming pool varies dramatically
from day to day, you may have:

A leak and should get it checked right away
A neighbor who is doing belly-flops in your pool late at night while you’re asleep
A thirsty dog

5. Watering daily is the only way to maintain a healthy lawn,
especially during the summer.

True
False

6. Broken or misdirected sprinkler heads help you water a
larger area while cleaning sidewalks and driveways.

True
False

7. The best sprinklers shoot high, fine sprays, which mist
your landscape without wasting water.

True
False

8. Raising the blade on your lawnmower helps save water.

True
False

9. Which plants are considered drought tolerant and require less water?

Lantana
Tulips
Rosemary
A and C

10. How much mulch should you use during a drought?

1 inch deep
4 to 6 inches deep
6 feet deep
None, mulching is a waste of time.

11. If it rains, the drought will be over and everyone can
use as much water as they want.

True
False

12. How much water can a leaky faucet, tap or hose, waste
in just one day?

1 cup
1 gallon
20 gallons
1,000 gallons