It’s Summer! Think Smart. Save Water. Save Money.

Summertime officially starts on June 21. Are you ready for the summer heat? Phew. I’m not. However, those rising temperatures are a great reminder that we all have the privilege and duty to help save water where we can as water demand significantly increases with rising temperatures. So, to help you help our region save water, let’s revisit some simple water conservation tips to reduce water use both outdoors and inside the home.

During the summer months, outdoor watering can account for up to 70 percent of a household’s total water use. That’s a lot of water and if we can reduce that 70 percent to 30, heck, even 50 percent, that can make a huge impact on our aquifers. Please, please, please only water your garden and lawn in the early mornings to reduce evaporation. And y’all, make sure that your sprinklers are actually watering where it’s needed and not the sidewalk.

Now let’s jump indoors and explore some small changes that can make a big difference over time, and especially in the summer months when our water systems are in high demand. Have you checked for leaks yet?! Y’all, this is one of the easiest things you can do. A dripping faucet or a running toilet may not seem like very much, but those small leaks can waste hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water over time. Toilets can be a big culprit of water waste. If you hear water constantly running or notice your toilet cycling on and off by itself, you should get it looked at for repairs. Our office also has toilet water leak tablets available to the public for free. Please come by 317 E Hempstead St. in Giddings and grab one to test to see if your toilet is leaking.

I know you have heard this one before...turn off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth! Keeping the faucet on for two minutes wastes around 4 gallons of water. You may be thinking, come on, that’s not that much. But added up twice a day for 365 days a year, that is 2,920 gallons of water. That’s equivalent to taking 146 showers. That is a lot of water and money wasted down the drain. Another simple tip is to run your dishwashers and washing machines only when they are full. This reduces your water use and energy use. A win-win for the environment! 

Remember, every drop counts, especially here in Bastrop and Lee Counties where 100 percent of our municipal water supply comes from groundwater. So when you conserve water in these hot summer months, you are helping to reduce the strain on our aquifers and support the long-term availability of our shared groundwater.

Here at the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District, we encourage all of our residents to take simple, practical steps to use water wisely this summer. Y’all, water conservation doesn’t have to be complicated! Small everyday actions add up to meaningful savings for both your wallet and our groundwater resources.

Think smart. Save water. Save money.