Summer in Texas brings soaring temperatures and strict drought limits. Water conservation affects more than just the environment, it affects your budget, too! By making a few simple, strategic adjustments around your home, you can save thousands of gallons of water this season.
The Kitchen
The kitchen accounts for 2040% of indoor water use. Changing how you clean your dishes and prep food can drastically cut down your monthly utility bills.
• Dishwasher: Run a full dishwasher instead of handwashing or running small loads every day. Savings: Thousands of gallons/ year.
• Fridge: Defrost your frozen food by placing it in the refrigerator the night before you use it instead of running it under water.
Savings: 10 gallons/item.
• Faucet: Fix dripping faucets quickly; slow leaks add up! Savings: Thousands of gallons/ year. The Bathroom The bathroom accounts for nearly 30% of all indoor water use. A few easy changes can help you save hundreds of gallons a day.
• Toilet: Drop food dye in the toilet tank to check for hidden leaks that waste water. Savings: 200 gallons/day.
• Bidet: Install a standard bidet which uses about one-eighth of a gallon per flush, while one roll of toilet paper can require as much as 37 gallons of water to produce. Savings: Thousands of gallons/year.
• Showerhead: Install a lowflow showerhead to reduce the flow without reducing the pressure. Savings: 5 gallons/shower.
• Shower: Reduce your shower time by 5 minutes. Savings: 12 gallons/shower.
• Bath: Choose a quick shower over a full bath. Savings: 25 gallons/ shower.
• Faucet: Turn the faucet off when brushing your teeth or scrubbing your hands. Savings: 6 gallons/wash. Outside Outdoor water usage makes up about 30-50% of household water use. Whether it’s your lawn, car, or pet, there are plenty of ways to maintain quality and reduce water consumption.
• Rain Barrel: Install a 50-gallon barrel to catch free stormwater runoff for your plants.
Savings: Thousands of gallons/ year.
• Sprinklers: Water in the early morning or late evening, Watering in high heat wastes 60% of water to evaporation. Savings: 12 gallons/day.
• Weather: Turn off your sprinklers when rain is in the forecast.
Savings: 50 gallons/run.
• Sidewalks: Adjust your sprinklers to avoid watering the sidewalks, which is prohibited in Texas. Savings: 10 gallons/run.
• Mulch: Add 2-3 inches of mulch to garden beds to lock in soil moisture. Savings 20 gallons/ week.
• Car Wash: Use a commercial car wash that recycles water instead of washing your car at home. Savings: 70 gallons/ wash.
• Pet Baths: Give your furry friends a bath with eco-friendly shampoo on a dry area of your lawn so that your grass gets the runoff. Savings: 10 gallons/ wash.
• Driveway: Use a broom instead of a hose to clear your driveway and walkways. Savings: 50 gallons/wash.
• Pool: Use a pool cover to reduce pool evaporation by up to 90%. Savings: Thousands of gallons/year. Cash In on Your Savings Maximizing local perks and timing your purchases carefully can keep extra cash in your wallet all summer long.
Local Water District: Check with your local water district or river authority for different benefits. Some districts may offer rebates and incentives for water saving or collecting or even offer free water-saving products like faucet aerators. Savings: Varies by availability.