Conservation Tips

Water conservation should be done year round. Take these simple steps to reduce water consumption, both inside and outside of your home.

Lawns and Landscaping:


Use a water meter to detect leaks:

Common sources of leaks are dripping faucets and sprinkler systems. Fix leaks or damaged sprinkler heads and make sure they're aimed at the landscape, not the street or sidewalk.

Give the sprinkler a rest after a good rain:

 Why duplicate what Mother Nature just provided for free? Even better, put your sprinkler system in manual mode and water only as needed.

Replace that thirsty turf:

 Replace little used areas of your lawn with other types of landscaping and water-stingy plants will lower your outdoor watering needs.

Grow Native:

 Native and adapted plants thrive on less water, can take Texas heat and are easier to maintain. Find more information at please visit Texas SmartScape website.

Don't be a scalper:

Taller grass holds moisture better and slows down evaporation. Leaving lawn clippings on your lawn does the same and also returns valuable nutrients to the soil.

Install a "smart" controller:

It's an irrigation clock that automatically adjusts run times in response to weather conditions.

Other outdoor uses:


Break out the broom:

Hosing down your driveway and sidewalk uses about five gallons of water per minute. Sweeping is much less wasteful. 


Avoid purchasing

 water recreational toys, which require a constant stream of water. 
 


Use a pool cover

 to reduce evaporation when pool is not being in used. An uncovered pool can lose 50-70 gallons per square foot, which is two to four inches a week in the summertime, to evaporation. 
 


Lower the pools water level:

This helps reduce water loss from extreme splashing and boisterous water play. Keep the water level one inch above the bottom of the pool tile.

Bathroom:

 

Install a low flow shower-head

 which restricts the quantity of flow at 60 psi to no more than three gallons per minute. A low flow shower-head uses 2.5 gallons of water or less.

Turn off water

when brushing teeth, shaving or washing your hands: Running the water for a couple of minutes while you're not using the water, wastes two or more gallons of water.

Replace older toilets

 and install a new low-volume flush toilet that uses 1.28 gallons per flush, which could lower your home's water use by 15 percent.  
 

Take a shower instead of a bath:

A bath can use more than twice as much water as a 10-minute shower.

Never pour water

down the drain when there may be another use for it, such as watering a plant or garden.

Kitchen and Laundry:

 

Load up the dishwasher:

Waiting until you have full loads saves water and energy.

Feed the compost pile, not the garbage disposal:

 Place food scraps in a container near the sink for later composting. If you do use a disposal, use it less often.

Wash fruits and vegetables

 in a basin and use a vegetable brush to clean them.

Load up the washing machine:

Wait until you have full loads to save water and energy. If you must do a smaller load, adjust the water level accordingly.

Replace your old washer with an Energy Star Model:

 You will lower your energy bill and use 38 percent less water.

For more watering tips, check out our Facebook page Weatherford Water Utilities!