Water School

Curious as to how you can both save money and save water for tomorrow and the generations of the future? Here are some ways in your everyday life that you and your family can conserve water in your home, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection:

Outdoors:

• Instead of a hose, try washing your car with a bucket.
• Use a pool cover to lower the rate of evaporation when the pool is not being used.
• Rather than hosing off, try sweeping sidewalks, steps, and driveways instead.
• Try running lawn sprinklers during the early morning, late evening, or during the night to water most efficiently. Do not water on a windy day.
• Water trees and shrubs for longer, but less frequently than shallow-rooted plants which require a smaller amount of water, less often.
• If possible, use properly treated wastewater or recycled water to water plants. 
• Try planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses that are more accommodated to the Texas climate. 

Laundry:

• Select the appropriate load size on the washing machine settings.
• Re-use towels instead of washing every use, and hang them up in order for them to dry.
• Skip the extra rinse setting on the washing machine.
• Try not to wash only an item or two in the machine, rather fill it all the way up!

Bathroom:

• While shaving or brushing your teeth, turn off the faucet.
• Instead of taking baths in the tub or long showers, try quicker showers and turn off the water flow when lathering.
• Check for constant drips and leaks coming from any faucets. 
• Install water-saving shower heads (find more information here). 
• Use wet, antibacterial wipes instead of water to clean bathroom surfaces (they work better, anyway!). 

Kitchen:

• Scrape, versus rinse, dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. 
• When running the dishwasher, always fill it up before starting the cycle. 
• Rather than using water to defrost frozen foods, try thawing in the refrigerator.
• Instead of letting the faucet run when you clean vegetables, try washing them in a large bowl with a vegetable scrubber.
• Keep a container of cold water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap, waiting for it to get cold.
• Use a designated water bottle/glass to use for yourself all day, rather than using multiple cups that will take more water to wash.

By trying out even a few of these tips, you could be doing your part to make way for a better, more hydrated Texas.

Return to Water School to learn more about water!