• Fix leaks: Check faucets, toilets, and pipes for any leaks and repair them as soon as possible. Even small leaks can add up.
• Shorten showers: Cutting your shower time by just a couple of minutes can save gallons of water.
• Turn off the tap: Don’t leave the water running while brushing your teeth or washing dishes. If you use a water hose outside, make sure it has a shut off nozzle.
• Use appliances efficiently: Only run full loads of laundry and dishes to maximize water use.
• Monitor usage: Track hourly water usage through your btutilities.com account. Be aware of unusual spikes.
• Reduce refills: Cover pools and spas to reduce the need to refill.

Lawn Irrigation Tips

• Sign up for weekly Brazos Valley WaterSmart emails: This free program provides customized watering recommendations based on data from weather stations and rain gauges throughout our area. Visit bvwatersmart.tamu.edu to learn more.
• Reduce evaporation: Water early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid water loss due to evaporation during the heat of the day.
• Check the system: Regularly inspect your irrigation system for leaks and broken heads, and make sure you’re not watering concrete.
• Prevent runoff: Use low-output sprinkler heads, bubblers, and drip irrigation to reduce runoff. Practice the cycle and soak method by watering in shorter intervals to allow the soil to absorb water more effectively.

Winter freezes can lead to broken pipes, causing water loss and costly repairs.

• Wrap exposed pipes: Use foam pipe insulation, heat tape, or other insulating materials to cover exposed outdoor pipes, including those in attics, crawl spaces, or garages.
• Cover outdoor faucets: Install faucet covers or use foam insulation to protect exterior faucets from freezing.
• Disconnect outdoor hoses: Remove and store garden hoses before the first freeze to prevent damage to your faucet and pipes.
• Drip, don’t run: Only drip faucets in areas where pipes are more exposed to freezing, like those along exterior walls or in unheated garages or attics. Turn the faucet on just enough for water to drip once every few seconds, not a stream. For single-handle faucets, leave it in the “warm” position to keep both hot and cold water flowing. For two-handle faucets, open both sides slightly.
• Capture the drip: Place a container under the dripping faucet to collect the water to use for other purposes.
• Locate your water shutoff valve: Know where your shutoff valve is in case a pipe bursts, so you can quickly stop the water flow.
• Inspect for leaks promptly: After a freeze, check for leaks both indoors and outdoors. A quick repair can prevent further water loss and damage.