Conserve Water During Hot Texas Summers by Not Watering Your Yard

The scorching heat and high humidity levels outside create a sweltering atmosphere, making it feel like it’s 110 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result of the excessive heat, your yard has turned brown, prompting you to water it to revive its lush green appearance. Additionally, your children can have fun playing in the sprinkler and cooling off. It all sounds like a fantastic plan, but have you considered the wastage of water and the potential increase in your water bills?

During the hot summers in Texas, watering your yard could lead to significant water wastage. The majority of the water evaporates quickly and does not penetrate the soil. Furthermore, most homeowners overwater their yards, resulting in even more water wastage. In an attempt to prevent their yards from turning brown, they run their sprinklers daily.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that households consume between 30 to 70 percent of their water usage outdoors during summer. However, it’s important to note that your lawn doesn’t need daily watering to thrive. In fact, providing one inch of water per week is sufficient for grass survival.

In case it rains during the week, you don’t have to water your lawn. And when you do need to water it, it’s advisable to do so in the evening when there’s less direct sunlight. Although the City of Houston permits yard watering twice a week, it’s unnecessary to do so. Water conservation can be achieved by watering your yard once a week.

Another tip to conserve water is by letting your grass grow longer and reducing the frequency of mowing. Longer grass can hold more water and stays greener than short-cut grass. You can adjust the lawn mower setting to raise the blades, ensuring that the grass remains several inches long.

Outdoor Water Usage Statistics

Here are the compiled statistics by the EPA that may surprise you and make you realize how much water you could be wasting:

1. US households consume about 29 billion gallons of water daily.
2. Of the 29 billion gallons, nearly 9 billion gallons are used for outdoor purposes, primarily for watering yards.
3. More than half (50%) of outdoor water usage is wasted due to overwatering.
4. On average, US households use around 320 gallons of water per day, except during the summer.
5. During summer, household water consumption jumps to an average of 1,000 gallons, with some households consuming 3,000 or more gallons per day!
6. Using 3,000 gallons of water is equivalent to leaving a faucet running continuously for 8 hours!

Ways to Conserve Water Around Your Home

By making a conscious effort to conserve water during the summer months, individuals can reduce their water bills and contribute to environmental preservation. Apart from minimizing yard watering, let’s explore various areas within and outside your home where water usage can be reduced.

Outdoors

• Replace grass with decorative pebbles, rocks, and plants that require less water, such as cacti and pineapple. Alternatively, use artificial grass.
• Use rubber mulch around plants, bushes, and shrubs to trap moisture and reduce evaporation.
• Sweep sidewalks and driveways instead of using a power washer or hose.
• Save power washing tasks for fall, winter, or spring, and avoid doing them during summer.
• Check for leaks and repair them promptly, including dripping outdoor faucets and leaking sprinkler systems.
• Limit car washing to once or twice a month, and do it early in the morning or evening.
• Use a cover over your pool to minimize water evaporation.
• Collect rainwater in a barrel for other uses like washing your car, filling your pool, or watering plants during dry days.

Indoors

• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. To rinse, turn the water on, rinse, and turn it back off.
• Use a dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand. For non-dishwasher-safe items, avoid using them in the summer months. When washing dishes by hand, avoid leaving the water running constantly.
• Collect dish rinse water into a big plastic tub and reuse it for other purposes.
• Only run the dishwasher and washing machine when they are full. Consider upgrading to energy-saving and water-saving models.
• Install aerators on faucets and low-flow showerheads to reduce water usage.
• Take showers instead of baths, and reuse bathwater for outdoor plants or car washes.
• Upgrade to a low-flush toilet or install a low-flush handle to reduce water usage per flush.
• Use a plastic bottle filled with sand in the back of the toilet to raise the water level and reduce water usage.
• Only flush the toilet when necessary, not every time you use it.
• Replace tank-based hot water heaters with tankless hot water heaters to provide hot water on demand and reduce water usage.
• Reuse water from cooking for watering plants instead of dumping it down the sink.

Be Aware of Drought Conditions and Notices

Along with implementing water conservation measures in your home, it is recommended to stay updated on drought conditions and relevant announcements from the City of Houston. These notifications often provide helpful information on outdoor water usage, lawn watering, and other useful tips for reducing water consumption.

For plumbing upgrades aimed at reducing water usage, or assistance with locating and fixing leaks and other plumbing issues, you can contact MET Plumbing & Air Conditioning at 281-603-9949. We also offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services. Be sure to inquire about our AC maintenance, repair, and installation services to keep your home comfortable during the scorching Texas summers.

Source:

https://www.epa.gov/watersense/when-its-hot