Houston Water Conservation
STAGE ONE: VOLUNTARY WATERING RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT
The City of Houston has entered Stage One of the City's Drought Contingency Plan, effective Tuesday, June 21, 2022.
Stage One drought response calls for the following voluntary water conservation efforts:
Limit outdoor watering to twice a week between the hours of 7PM and 5AM with the following schedule:
- Sundays & Thursdays for single-family residential customers with even-numbered street addresses
- Saturdays and Wednesdays for single-family residential customers with odd-numbered street addresses
- Tuesdays and Fridays for all other customers
- Check & repair water leaks, including dripping faucets & running toilets
- Check sprinkler heads to make sure water is not spraying into the street or directly into a storm drain and/or gutters
City of Houston Drought Contingency Plan
Press Release - City of Houston Enters Stage One of the Drought Contingency Plan
Stage One Drought Contingency Plan FAQs
Conserving water goes beyond saving money, it ensures clean water for generations to come. Houston Water’s Conservation team offers tools, programs, and resources to help customers conserve one of our most precious resources – water.
Water Smart Utility Checkup: Now accepting 2022 applications! CLICK HERE for more information.
TOP OUTDOOR WATER SAVING TIPS
YARDS
KNOW WHEN TO WATER
Water only when the yard needs it. Water during the cool part of the day, in the morning or evening. Do not water on windy days.
Visit WaterMyYard.org or download the app for free watering recommendations based on your location and more.
USE A RAIN BARREL
Rain barrels collect rainwater to water yards, fill fountains, or other non-drinking purposes. Rain barrels may also help prevent flooding by capturing and rerouting stormwater.
SET AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS TO SAVE
Set automatic sprinklers to water twice per week (or less) no more than 40 minutes per day (when the sun has gone down or before the sun comes up).
TURN OFF SPRINKLERS DURING WINTER
Turn off automatic sprinklers between November 1 and February 28. Grass is dormant in the winter and does not need regular watering.
PLANTS
MULCH
Mulch saves water by reducing soil evaporation.
USE NATIVE PLANTS
Plants native to Houston have adapted to the climate and rainfall & do not need extra water.
SIDEWALKS & DRIVEWAYS
KEEP WATER OFF SIDEWALKS
Aim automatic sprinkler heads to hit the lawn and not the sidewalk. Water less to reduce runoff. Clean sidewalks and driveways with a broom instead of a hose.
USE CAR WASHES
Wash cars at car wash, not at home. Most car washes recycle used water.
POOLS
USE A POOL COVER
Pool covers reduce evaporation.
TOP INDOOR WATER SAVING TIPS
CHECK & FIX LEAKS
A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons per day. This could cost up to $130 per month. Watch video: How to Fix a Leaky Toilet.
Dripping faucets are usually caused by old or broken parts. This can be fixed with a faucet repair kit, available at local hardware stores.
Watch videos: Indoor Leak Repair | Outdoor Leak Repair
Renting? Report leaks to the building management or landlord.
REVIEW UTILITY BILL
If the bill goes up one month, check for leaks and extra unnecessary usage. Sign-up for eBills & usage alerts at houstonwater.org.
BATHROOM
TURN OFF THE FAUCET
Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, scrubbing hands or shaving, to save over 2,000 gallons and up to $360 per year.
INSTALL WATER EFFICIENT APPLIANCES
Recommended WaterSense products use less water and can save money.
Swap-A-Showerhead: Get a Free showerhead at any of these events by trading old inefficient showerheads for water saving ones (limit 2 per household).
City of Houston Plumbing Codes require:
- Toilets 1.28 Gallons Per Flush
- Showerheads 2.0
- Urinals .5
TAKE SHORTER SHOWERS
Shower 5 minutes or less and save over 10 gallons of water each time. That’s over 3,600 gallons per year.
ONLY FLUSH THE 3 P’S
Pee, poo & toilet paper should be the only things that go down the toilet.
LAUNDRY
WASH ONLY FULL LOADS
Wash full loads and use the shortest cycle on cold wash.
KITCHEN
RUN DISHWASHER WHEN FULL
Using a dishwasher is more efficient than washing dishes by hand. Wash only full loads on the shortest cycle.
USE FEWER DISHES
Designate one glass for drinking water each day or refill a water bottle.
PETS
REUSE WATER
Use pet’s old drinking water to water plants.
RESOURCES
FREE High-Efficient Showerheads (map of events) - trade a low-efficient showerhead for a new one.
Protect Our Pipes - save on fines and plumbing costs by only flushing the 3P’s and disposing of cooking waste in the trash.
City of Houston Water Conservation Plan
Questions, request a presentation or share a conservation tip: WaterConservation@houstontx.gov
