Check out some of our water saving/conservation tips below.
In the kitchen:
- Repair leaky faucets, fixtures, and pipes
- Turn water off while washing dishes
- Use garbage disposals sparingly-opt instead to compost vegetable scraps and yard clippings
- Scrape dishes – don’t rinse before putting them in the dishwasher
- Rinse produce in a pan of water-use remaining water to water plants
- Keep tap water in the refrigerator for drinking
In the Bathroom:
- Repair leaky faucets, fixtures, and pipes
- Check toilet leaks by adding food coloring to tank, if color appears in bowl, you have a leak (learn how with this YouTube video)
- Install low-flow shower head, learn more about showerheads on the EPA website
- Take a shower instead of a bath
- Never use toilet to dispose of trash
- Reduce shower time
- Turn water off while brushing teeth or shaving
- Fill the sink with a bit of water to clean your razor while shaving
Outdoors:
- Use sprinklers that produce large water droplets not mist
- Set sprinkler system to 1” every 5 days
- Use drip irrigation for flower beds, trees, shrubs
- Condition soil with mulch or compost
- Set lawnmower high-taller grass holds moisture better
- Do not water drives, streets, or sidewalks
- Fill a bucket to wash cars – use hose for rinsing only
- Compost yard clippings
In the Laundry:
- Wash only full loads when possible
- Use lowest water setting for light/partial loads
- Use cold water when possible to save energy
- Buy/use Energy Star appliances to cut down on water use (read more on the Energy Star website)
For more information, visit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.