Water Conservation Tips

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.