Everyone can play a role in ensuring the continued availability of our water supply. Water conservation should not be for emergencies. It should be a way of life. Conserving water today saves you money on your water and sewer bills, reduces the cost of building new water and wastewater infrastructure, and leaves more water in rivers and lakes for you to enjoy.
Much of the water consumed by an average American household is used outdoors: landscape irrigation, car washing, maintaining swimming pools, cleaning sidewalks and driveways, etc. It is here where we can make simple but significant changes that will have a positive affect.
Personal Actions Add Up
What can you do? There are hundreds of things one can do to conserve water. Some are very simple, but all of them begin with you. Take a step toward water conservation today by thinking when you use water.
Let’s make it our choice to pay attention to our daily habits – how we use water and how we might be wasting it. Do your part to conserve our precious supplies by small, thoughtful changes in your daily activities and habits. Small changes, if done on a large scale, add up to a big change. Every drop counts and every person can make a difference.
Water Conservation Tips
Garden Watering Calculator
Much residential water use accounts for outdoor landscaping. Take a close look at your outdoor watering activities. Most landscapes don’t need to be watered as often in the fall and winter as they do during the summer. If you’re not sure how much water your landscaping needs, a helpful interactive online tool is available online from BeWaterWise.com.
Simply answer a few questions about your location, landscape, type of soil, and sprinkler system. The online calculator will show you how many times a week you will need to water your landscape, and for how long. Just a few minutes of your time could add up to significant savings on your water bill, and help to preserve our most precious natural resource – water.
Green Gardening Tips
Water Efficient Landscaping for residents of Texas: Learn about landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment. Also includes a comprehensive list of water conservation friendly plants for landscaping suitable for Texas and your specific region in the state. (Source: AgriLife extension of Texas A&M University).
The Garden Spot for residents of California: Check out the comprehensive how-to guides for California friendly gardening. (Source: www.BeWaterWise.com)
Additional information for Suburban Water Systems customers
Suburban Water Systems customers should visit this page for additional information.
Sources Used & For More Information
WaterSense Program (EPA)
Water Wiser (AWWA)
Texas Water Info (features a drought severity index)