Ways to save water in your Texas home

Indoors

• Fix water leaks and drips — even a slow one adds up over a billing cycle.
• Turn off the tap when it's not actively in use.
• Install low-flow toilets, and repair any running toilet promptly.
• Take showers instead of baths — they use meaningfully less water.
• Use WaterSense-certified showerheads, fixtures, toilets, and irrigation equipment.
• Only run dishwashers and washing machines when full, or use the appropriate water-level setting for the load size.
• Scrape food into the trash or compost instead of rinsing plates before loading the dishwasher.
• Install faucet aerators to reduce flow without sacrificing pressure.
• Upgrade to high-efficiency, ENERGY STAR®-certified washing machines and dishwashers when it's time to replace them.
• Collect and reuse water where you can — leftover cooking water works fine for plants.
• Set your water heater to a safe, comfortable temperature — lower settings mean greater savings on both water heating energy and wear.
• Consider dual-flush toilets or retrofit kits to reduce water use for liquid waste.

Outdoors

• Install low-water, drought-tolerant landscaping and grasses — Texas summers make this one of the highest-leverage changes you can make.
• Maintain irrigation systems for efficient operation, and check your yard for soft, moist spots that might indicate a leak.
• Don't over-water, and avoid watering during the hottest part of the day to reduce evaporation loss.
• Aim sprinklers so they only cover lawn and landscaping — not sidewalks, patios, driveways, or streets.
• Comply with local water use restrictions (many Texas municipalities have seasonal or drought-driven rules).
• Sweep or blow driveways and patios clean instead of hosing them off.
• Cover pools when not in use to reduce evaporation.
• Install rain barrels to harvest rainwater for plants and landscaping.
• Use drip irrigation instead of sprinklers to target plant roots directly and reduce evaporation.
• Group plants by water needs so you're not overwatering some to satisfy others.
• Mulch garden beds to retain soil moisture and reduce evaporation.
• Install soil moisture sensors to avoid unnecessary watering cycles.

Source: Public Utility Commission of Texas, Ways to Save — Water. Learn more directly from the PUCT at puc.texas.gov.