How Can I Reduce Water Usage?

The best way to keep your utility costs down is to conserve water.

In the Bathroom

  • Take shorter showers.
  • Install water-saving shower heads.
  • Turn off water while brushing your teeth.
  • Check your toilets for leaks.

In the Kitchen

  • Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. This ends the wasteful practice of running tap water to cool it for drinking.
  • If you wash dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing. If you have two sinks, fill one with soapy water and the other with rinse water.
  • Check faucets and pipes for leaks. Many leaks can be repaired with inexpensive washers.

General Household

  • Be sure your outside faucets are turned off after they are used.
  • Check your water softener to be sure it is not leaking or generating more than it should be.

Lawn Sprinkling

  • Water deeply and infrequently - 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch of water per week will maintain a green lawn.
  • Don't overwater - Water applied beyond the needs of the grass and holding capacity of the soil moves down out of the root zone of the grass, where it cannot be used by the lawn.
  • Don't scalp your lawn - Mow the lawn 2 to 3 inches above the soil line but remove no more than 40% of the height of the grass.
  • Let your lawn go dormant - This will save money and mowing time. If you choose to do this, don't fertilize your lawn in the spring. Gradually decrease water application as July approaches then apply 1/4 of an inch to 1/2 of an inch of water every two to three weeks. Shorten the interval if you have sandy soil.

Show All Answers

1. My yard has been painted with different colors. What work is being done?
2. When is the water meter read?
3. Who is responsible for maintaining the wastewater line to my home?
4. What causes discolored water?
5. When and why are the fire hydrants flushed?
6. My water meter is leaking. Will the City repair it?
7. Where can I plant a tree?
8. What is a drainage and utility easement?
9. Why doesn't the City cut the grass around the stormwater ponds?
10. Who maintains the trees within the right-of-way?
11. My street light is burned out or doesn't work properly. Who takes care of it?
12. How do I report a pothole?
13. When does the City sweep the streets?
14. Water and Sewer Utilities: How do they get read and do you accept auto pay?
15. When I do get a bill? When is the payment due?
16. How Can I Reduce Water Usage?
17. Who Is Responsible For Frozen Water Service Lines?