1926 2026
The bathroom is one of the largest sources of indoor water use. Replacing your showerhead with a water-efficient model and shortening shower times can substantially reduce daily consumption. Turn off the water while shaving or brushing your teeth and avoid using the toilet as a trash can. Small behavioral adjustments lead to significant annual savings, both for your wallet and for our community.
Kitchen and Laundry Savings
In the kitchen, run your dishwasher only when it is full and dry scrape dishes instead of rinsing them before loading. Installing faucet aerators can cut sink water use almost in half without any noticeable difference in pressure. Keeping a container of drinking water in the refrigerator eliminates the need to let the tap run until it cools; a kettle can heat up water quick preventing it from needing to run to heat up.
Laundry practices also matter. Conventional washing machines use between 32 and 59 gallons per load. Selecting the lowest appropriate water level for partial loads and using cold water whenever possible conserves both water and energy.
Outdoor Responsibility
Outdoor irrigation is often the largest component of residential water use. Most Texas grasses require only one inch of water per week during the summer. Overwatering does not improve lawn health, does not make it greener, it wastes water and increases runoff.
Watering early in the morning or in the evening reduces evaporation and can help prevent water loss from wind. Check sprinkler heads regularly and install rain shutoff devices to prevent unnecessary irrigation during wet conditions. There is not much reason to water when it rains.
Consider planting drought-tolerant and native species that are adapted to Texas’ climate. Taller grass is better able to retain moisture during hot weather. Rain barrels and cisterns can also be a worthy investment, capturing water from gutters for reuse in landscaping.