Following a wave of hot summer days, many local lawns are looking parched. Area residents are advised to adhere to a few practices to reduce costly water bills and limit excess water consumption. Lawns and landscapes should be watered no more than twice per week. Also, avoid watering during the hottest part of the day, between 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Residents who have received higher water bills than normal, even for summer months, are advised to check their irrigation systems to ensure proper functioning. Pay attention to how long and often sprinklers are running. Look for potential problems with sprinkler heads, including ones spraying onto the sidewalk or driveway, operating poorly with reduced water flow, gushing out the top, or producing a cloud of mist. Check with the city to determine whether drought conditions exist. City websites are updated to reflect watering restrictions.