Every Drop: Water Conservation Tips

Water Saving Tips

More tips and information:

www.twdb.texas.gov
wateriq.org
www.epa.gov/watersense

INDOOR TIPS

Bathroom

  • Replace your showerhead with a water-efficient model.
  • Take short showers.
  • Turn off the water while you are shaving.
  • Replace your old toilet with a high-efficiency toilet that uses 1.3 gallons per flush.
  • Don’t waste water when brushing your teeth or washing your hands. Shut off the water until it’s time to rinse.

Kitchen

  • Run the dishwasher only when full. This practice saves water, energy, detergent, and money.
  • Install faucet aerators. This can cut your sink water consumption in half!
  • Use garbage disposals sparingly. They can waste water unnecessarily.
  • Rinse your vegetables in a pan of cold water; it doesn’t require gallons of water to remove the dirt.

Laundry Room

  • Wash only full loads.
  • Use cold water as often as possible to save energy.
  • Conventional washing machines can use up to twice as much water per load as high-efficiency machines.

Additional Tips

  • Don’t ignore leaky faucets. A slow drip can waste as much as 170 gallons of water a day!
  • Know where your master water shut-off valve is in case a pipe bursts. Insulate hot water pipes. 
  • Find other uses for water rather than letting it go down the drain. Use a bucket to capture water in the shower or sink while waiting for it to get hot, then use that water for your outdoor plants.

OUTDOOR TIPS

  • Plant water-efficient, well-adapted, and/or native shrubs, trees, and grasses.
  • Don’t abuse the benefits of an automatic sprinkler system by over-watering.
  • Check sprinkler heads regularly to make sure they are working properly.
  • Water lawns early in the morning. Never water on windy days.
  • Cover pools and spas. This can save the equivalent of your pool volume each year!
  • Use a rain barrel or cistern to collect water from your gutters to water your plants.
  • Don’t waste water by cleaning patios or sidewalks; use a broom.
  • Taller grass holds moisture better, so don’t scalp lawns when mowing during hot weather.
  • Use lots of mulch around your shrubs and trees.

Click here to see even more tips!