Tips, Tools & Resources
WaterSmart Tips
- Cut back on outdoor watering.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, outdoor watering can account for up to 70% of home water use during the hot summer season.- Follow your water provider’s watering schedule.
- Water during the coolest time of the day – before sunrise. During the heat of the day, much of the water will be lost to evaporation.
- Split the time for running irrigation systems into two cycles. Use the cycle and soak method to prevent runoff and promote deeper roots and healthier plants.
- Have sprinkler systems evaluated.
An irrigation system evaluation will assess your sprinkler system’s needs, alert you to any necessary repairs, and potentially help lower water use by up to 30%. - Incorporate water-efficient landscaping and drought-tolerant plants.
- Add mulch to landscape beds to keep plants healthy and prevent water loss through evaporation.
- Aerate turf areas then apply quality natural compost to increase organic matter and promote deep roots.
- Cover swimming pools to reduce evaporation.
- Install water-efficient faucets, toilets and shower heads.
- Reduce indoor water use by taking shorter showers, turning off the faucet while lathering hands and brushing teeth, and washing only full loads in the washing machine or dishwasher.
- Keep an eye on your water bill.
Unusually high water use could indicate a leak. Fix leaks immediately. - Learn how much water various household activities use so you know where you can cut back.
Check out WaterSmart rebates for irrigation evaluations, retrofitting or replacing irrigation system equipment, new pool filters and covers, aeration, compost and mulch, and soil testing to save water and money.
More quick and easy ways to save water
Tools
Water My Yard
Automatic irrigation systems often are improperly programmed and can lead to overwatering. LCRA has partnered with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to offer the free Water My Yard program, which provides weekly recommendations on how long to run irrigation systems efficiently while maintaining healthy lawns.
Net Zero Water Toolkit
Growth can be a source of water, not just a demand. Net Zero Water is a design approach that helps a development provide for its own water needs through the capture, storage and treatment of on-site water sources. Texas Water Trade created a guide to Net Zero Water from design to permitting to maintenance for Texas property developers, owner/operators and other professionals engaged in land development.
Landscaping resources
Thin soils, hot weather and periodic droughts punctuated by torrential downpours make gardening in Central and South Texas a challenge.
Landscaping guides
Create well-designed, water-efficient landscapes.
- LCRA WaterSmart landscape guidelines
- LCRA Conservation landscaping guidelines
- Sensible Landscaping for Central Texas
Plant guides
Get help with choosing native and adapted plants and designing your landscape.
Irrigation system guides
Learn more from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension about designing and setting your irrigation system to prevent runoff and water waste.
Additional Resources
Keep up to date with state, regional and local efforts to conserve water.
Find information about water conservation in Texas.
Find out about the development and adoption of new and innovative technologies to solve emerging water problems and meet future water supply needs.
Learn how you can conserve and how others are conserving water.
Help improve water efficiency in the United States.
Find an irrigator in your area from this association for licensed irrigation professionals in Texas.
Learn from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension™s Texas Master Gardener, a volunteer program designed to grow horticultural information throughout the state, town by town.
Watch a video series with helpful water conservation information and tips.
Dive into an 88-page guide on capturing rainwater and view reports on rainwater harvesting commissioned by TWDB.
Catch up on rainwater harvesting basics, upcoming events and programs, and locations where you can watch rainwater harvesting demonstrations.
Learn sustainable rainwater harvesting practices to help solve potable, non-potable, stormwater and energy challenges throughout Texas and the world.
Stop by and check out the center™s innovative 31,000-gallon water harvesting system, which collects both rainwater and air conditioning condensate for use in toilet flushing, drip irrigation and the on-site Highland Lakes water feature.
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