Water Conservation Tips

Simple Water Saving Tips

  • Repair leaking faucets.
  • Repair leaking toilets which can run 24 hours a day.
  • Install water-saving shower heads and faucet aerators.
  • Don’t run water while shaving or brushing teeth.
  • Only run washers and dryers with full loads.
  • Water before 9 am or after 7 pm.

In the Kitchen

  • Install faucet aerators to reduce water consumption.
  • Use a dishpan for washing and rinsing dishes. Scrape dishes rather than rinsing before washing.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables in a partially filled sink or pan instead of running water from the tap.
  • Don’t use running water to thaw food.
  • Operating appliances (dishwashers and clothes washers) when full can save up to 600 gallons each month. Newer water-efficient washing machines can save up to 20 gallons per load.
  • Front loading clothes washers use 1/2 the water, 1/3 less detergent and 1/3 less energy than top loading machines.
  • Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator rather than running the faucet for cool water on a hot day.
  • Designate one glass for your drinking glass each day. You’ll run your dishwasher less often.

In the Bathroom

  • Replace old toilets and shower heads with low-flow fixtures if your home was built before 1992. Switching to water-efficient fixtures can save the average household several dollars on water and sewer bills.
  • Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints. You may save 20 gallons of water per day for every leak that is fixed.
  • Shorten your showers. Even a one or two minute reduction may save up to 700 gallons of water per month.
  • Don’t use your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. You may save 400 to 600 gallons of water per month.
  • Test toilets for leaks. Add a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet in the tank, but do not flush the toilet. If the coloring appears in the toilet bowl, the toilet has a silent leak.
  • Turning the water off when brushing your teeth, shaving, and washing hands can save approximately 4 gallons per minute or 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
  • Insulate all hot water pipes to reduce the delays (and wasted water) while waiting for the water to heat up.

Outside

  • Water plants during early morning or evening hours to minimize evaporation.
  • Install a watering timer with automatic shut-off or use your kitchen timer to notify you when to shut off your sprinklers.
  • Using an automatic shut-off nozzle on your hose while washing your car may save more than 100 gallons of water.
  • Use a broom instead of a hose to clean sidewalks and driveways.
  • Check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks. Repair any leaks as soon as possible.
  • Only water your lawn when needed.
  • Use the water from cleaning your fish tank on your plants.
  • Know where all your shut-off valves are located before an emergency occurs. This could save several gallons of water and possible damage to your home if a pipe were to burst.

For More Information

For more detailed water conservation tips, visit the Texas Water Development Board website. 

For more information from the City of Marshall, contact:
Delois Thompson, Water Billing Manager
401 S Alamo Street
Marshall, TX 75670
Phone: 903-935-4435
Email Delois Thompson