Water Smart Outdoors

• Water in the early morning or late evening. When you water during the heat of the day (between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.) you can lose up to 60 percent of the water applied to evaporation. Try drip irrigation or a soaker hose (made from recycled tires!) for shrub beds.
   

• Water deeply and infrequently, to allow the water to reach plant roots.  But, don't allow the water to puddle or run off. 
   

• MULCH! Use mulch around plants to reduce water evaporation and moderate soil temperature.
   

• Use compost or other organic material to amend the soil and increase its water holding capacity. This works for either clay or sandy soils.
   

• Sweep porches and driveways with a broom instead of hosing them down.  Sweeping works better than a hose, and it's good exercise.
   

• Install low-maintenance, drought tolerant plants. Texas sage, Yucca, and crepe myrtles, once established, are all examples of drought tolerant plants.
   

• Catch rainwater in barrels or buckets and reuse this water to hand-water plants.

Water Smart Indoors

• Check for leaks, and fix them! Leaky toilets and faucets account for a significant portion of home water waste.
   

• Don't let the water run when brushing your teeth or shaving.
   

• Try taking a five-to-eight minute shower instead of a fifteen-minute shower. Bathing is the second highest use of indoor water.
   

• Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when full. Consider buying one of the new water-saving front-loading washing machines.
   

• "Go with the low flow." Low-flow showerheads, toilet dams, and faucet aerators are available at hardware stores and are an easy, low-cost way to save water.