One Drop at a TimeOne Drop at a Time

Make water conservation Make water conservation an an

everyday routine.everyday routine.• Install water-saving Install water-saving

devices. devices.

• Take shorter showers.Take shorter showers.

• Turn off the water while Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. brushing your teeth.

Biggest indoor water useBiggest indoor water use

• Repair plumbing Repair plumbing leaks promptly.leaks promptly.

• Displace water Displace water in tanks of older in tanks of older toilets.toilets.

• Don’t flush trash Don’t flush trash – toss it in the – toss it in the wastebasket.wastebasket.

Don’t leave faucets Don’t leave faucets running.running.

Run dishwashers Run dishwashers and clothes washers and clothes washers only when full. only when full.

The most wasteful The most wasteful water habit we water habit we have in cities is have in cities is often watering our often watering our lawns.lawns.

• Water in the early morning. Water in the early morning.

• Water infrequently and deeply.Water infrequently and deeply.

• Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses.Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses.

• Collect rainwater to use on gardens. Collect rainwater to use on gardens.

• Landscape with native plants. Landscape with native plants.

• Switch to electric or push mowers.Switch to electric or push mowers.

• Leave grass clippings in place.Leave grass clippings in place.

Lawn Care TipsLawn Care Tips

• Don’t water on windy days.Don’t water on windy days.• Don’t water using a fine mist sprinkler.Don’t water using a fine mist sprinkler.• Don’t water when water is in short Don’t water when water is in short

supply.supply.• Don’t water during the heat of the day.Don’t water during the heat of the day.

Don’t Waste Tap Water Don’t Waste Tap Water through Evaporationthrough Evaporation

- enough to supply 50 people for one year!

Used motor oil from a single oil change can contaminate a million gallons of water...

Use biodegradable products for Use biodegradable products for house and lawn care.house and lawn care.

NEVERNEVER dispose of cleaners or dispose of cleaners or pesticides in a toilet, sink or pesticides in a toilet, sink or

storm drain.storm drain.

If all Texas cities If all Texas cities conserved water we could conserved water we could save …save …

1,047,885 - acre-feet per year

X 326,000 - gal. per acre foot ___________________

341,610,510,000

Yes, that’s Yes, that’s 341 billion gallons per year!341 billion gallons per year!

New technologies New technologies promise significant water promise significant water savings but are still savings but are still costly for many farmers.costly for many farmers.

By 2040, city and By 2040, city and industry water demands industry water demands will surpass agriculture.*will surpass agriculture.*

Irrigation - The Biggest Irrigation - The Biggest UserUser

* Texas Water Development Board

Industry and manufacturing Industry and manufacturing consume10% of our available consume10% of our available

freshwater.freshwater.

Improved processes could make them Improved processes could make them more water efficient.more water efficient.

We can significantly reduce We can significantly reduce the need for more reservoirs if the need for more reservoirs if

we ALL save water NOWwe ALL save water NOW!!

Use water wisely – Use water wisely – Even one drop at a time Even one drop at a time

makes a difference.makes a difference.