Be Water Smart

Water use in Texas averages 169 gallons per person per day. By adopting some simple water-saving practices inside and outside your home, you can reduce that amount and save money. Making a habit of conservation makes sense. It protects the water resources of both current and future League City residents.

In the Kitchen

• Dry scrape dishes instead of rinsing them, and do not pre-rinse dishes if you are using the dishwasher.
• Run the dishwasher with a full load to save water, energy, detergent, and money.
• If your machine has a “quick wash” or “light duty” cycle setting, use it!
• Fill a basin or the sink with soapy water instead of letting the water run continuously when washing dishes by hand.
• Soak pans rather than scrubbing them while the water is running.
• Rinse produce in a pan of cold water instead of letting the water run.
• Transfer frozen foods to the refrigerator to defrost the night before you need them instead of letting water run over them.
• Keep a container of water in the refrigerator rather than running tap water until it is cool enough to drink.
• Limit the use of garbage disposals and consider composting.

In the Laundry Room

• Wash only full loads.
• Match the load setting with the amount of laundry to be washed if you must wash partial loads.
• Use the shortest wash cycle for lightly soiled loads as it uses less water than other cycles.

In the Bathroom

• Use only as much water as you really need, and turn the water off when you aren’t using it.
• Never use your toilet to dispose of trash.
• Run water just to wet and rinse the toothbrush instead of allowing the water to run while brushing your teeth. Apply the same idea when washing your hands.
• Take a short shower instead of a bath.
• Turn off the water while you are shampooing your hair.
• Install a high-efficiency showerhead and a high-efficiency toilet.

Car Washing 

• Use a shut-off nozzle that can be adjusted down to a fine spray on your hose.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass so that you will be watering it at the same time.

Lawn

• Avoid over watering your lawn. A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks. Most of the year, lawns only need one inch of water per week.
• Water in several short sessions rather than one long one, in order for your lawn to better absorb moisture.
• Position sprinklers so water lands on the lawn and shrubs and not on paved areas.
• Avoid sprinklers that spray a fine mist. Mist can evaporate before it reaches the lawn. Check sprinkler systems and timing devices regularly to be sure they operate properly.
• Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches or to its highest level. A higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system, and holds soil moisture.
• Plant drought-resistant lawn seed.
• Avoid over-fertilizing your lawn. Applying fertilizer increases the need for water. Apply fertilizers that contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.
• Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk.
• Avoid leaving sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours.