Water Conservation Tips and Ideas

To ensure that we have enough water for current and future Texans, we need to reduce the amount of water we waste both indoors and outdoors. Furthermore, conserving water aids in preventing restrictions on water usage when drought conditions exist. 

Indoor Water Savings:

• High-efficiency toilets, water-efficient washing machines, rainwater harvesting systems, and water-efficient landscaping can all help reduce water use.
• Water-efficient showerheads and aerators for faucets can significantly reduce the amount of water you use. In fact, installing a water-efficient showerhead is one of the most effective water-saving steps you can take inside your house.
• Leaking faucets and toilets can waste thousands of gallons of water monthly, and they are inexpensive to fix. A few small changes in your water use habits can make a huge difference in water savings.

Tips in the Bathroom

• Replace your showerhead with a water-efficient model.
• Take short showers.
• Turn off the water while you are shaving. Fill the sink with hot water instead of letting the water run continuously.
• Never use the toilet to dispose of trash.
• Don’t waste water when brushing your teeth or washing your hands. Shut off the water until it’s time to rinse.

Tips in the Kitchen

• Run the dishwasher only when full.
• Install faucet aerators. You’ll never notice the difference, and you’ll cut your sink water consumption in half!
• Keep a container of water in the refrigerator. It will be refreshingly cool and won’t waste water.
• Dry scrape dishes instead of rinsing. Your dishwasher will take care of the rest.
• Use garbage disposals sparingly. They can waste water unnecessarily.

Tips in the Laundry Room

• Conventional washing machines use 32 to 59 gallons of water per load. Use the lowest water level setting on the washing machine for light or partial loads whenever possible.
• Use cold water as often as possible to save energy and conserve hot water for uses that cold water cannot serve.

Outdoor Water Savings:

• One inch of water per week in the summer will keep most Texas grasses healthy. To determine how long you should run your sprinklers, place straight-edged cans at different distances away from the sprinkler and time how long it takes to fill an average of 1 inch of water in each can.
• Don’t abuse the benefits of an automatic sprinkler system by over-watering. Set it to provide thorough but infrequent watering. Check sprinkler heads regularly to make sure they are working properly. Install rain shutoff devices and adjust sprinklers to eliminate coverage on pavement.
• Prevent evaporation of water. Water lawns early in the morning or in the evening during the hotter summer months. Never water on windy days. Use drip irrigation systems for bedded plants, trees, or shrubs and use low-angle sprinklers for lawns. Cover pools and spas. This can save the equivalent of your pool volume each year!
• Plant water-efficient, well-adapted, and/or native shrubs, trees, and grasses. Choose plants that are drought and heat tolerant and can survive the minimum winter temperatures in your area. In odd-shaped areas, use drought-tolerant groundcover instead of grass. Many cities provide lists of water-efficient plants.
• Buy a rain barrel or a cistern and collect the water from your gutters to water your plants.
• Use your water efficiently. Don’t waste water by cleaning patios or sidewalks with it; use a broom. For plants that need more water, use a hose or watering can to give them additional water.
• Keep grass 3 inches tall during the summer and don’t cut more than one-third of its length at one time. Don’t scalp lawns when mowing during hot weather. Taller grass holds moisture better. Leave lawn clippings on the lawn instead of bagging.

Recommended Plants for the Kerrville Area

• Recommended Plants For The Kerrville Area
• Riverside Nature Center

These conservation tips are provided by the TWDB (Texas Water Development Board) at:
http://www.twdb.state.tx.us
UGRA EduScape

Below are links to more water conservation tips provided by Texas A&M University:
Expert: ‘Find’ more water through landscaping techniques
https://texaswater.tamu.edu/

Water Conservation Opportunities - Press Release