Summer in Texas almost inevitably means severe drought. As summer progresses, the dry days between rain tick higher and higher until we throw our hands in the air and quit counting. But don’t lose hope just yet! There are plenty of meaningful steps we can take, both indoors and outdoors, to mitigate the effects of drought and save precious water.
Leaks can waste more water than you might think. Did you know that an average household’s leaks can waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water every year?
For comparison, the Mayo Clinic recommends a person needs around 260 to 365 gallons of drinking water a year. With that in mind, make it a point to fix any leaking pipes, faucets, and toilets to prevent unnecessary water loss.
By installing low-flow showerheads and faucets you can reduce your water usage by up to 30% without sacrificing water pressure. These can often be installed yourself without the need for a plumber. Check the internet or the manufacturer for video installation guides to get started.
As always, take shorter showers and only run the dishwasher and washing machine when you have a full load. By getting into better habits when doing our daily chores, we can save a significant amount of water when it starts to get scarce.
Embrace xeriscaping, landscaping using native, drought-tolerant plants. Traditional turf grasses drink a lot of water, especially the Texas favorite, St. Augustine grass, which needs more water than other grass varieties. With that in mind, more and more Texans are ditching grass altogether and choosing to xeriscape some, if not all, of their lawn. A well-planned xeriscape lawn will not only look beautiful but require much less water and less maintenance than a traditional lawn.
For the areas of your lawn that you’re keeping green, landscape with drought-resistant and native plants. They’re adapted to our climate and need minimal watering once established.
Use mulch for any special planting areas. A good thick layer of mulch will help the soil retain moisture when the brutal Texas sun is beating down hour after hour.
Watering your lawn during the heat of the day can cause you to lose up to 60% of your water to evaporation. That’s a huge amount of water that dries up before it ever reaches your soil. Focus on watering during the early morning or late evening to take advantage of the cooler temps and lowlight conditions.
If you have an automatic sprinkler system, take some time to adjust your sprinkler heads so you’re not watering the sidewalk and the street. Plants need water. Asphalt and concrete don’t!
If you use a hose to water your lawn, consider switching to a drip irrigation or soaker hose. They inject water directly into the soil where it's needed and minimize evaporation.
When watering your trees and shrubs, water long and deeply. The farther down the water reaches into the soil the better. This encourages deeper root growth and resilience during dry periods. If you only water the surface, the roots grow closer to the surface making them particularly vulnerable to drought conditions.
Lastly, familiarize yourself with your local watering schedule. Make sure that you’re watering on the right days to help save water for your community during dry times.
When we are blessed with rain, Hallelujah! Make the most of those rare occasions and harvest the water that runs off your roof by installing a rain barrel. The water you save can be used to water grass and plants and even fill bird baths. Read our blog about rainwater harvesting for more information.
Droughts test our resolve while robbing us of our most precious shared resource. But there’s no challenge that Texans can’t overcome. With a little planning, some modest investments, and smart choices, Texans can come through droughts ready to tackle the next challenge life throws at them.
