Most of us have easy access to all the water we need and with the October rains, more than we wanted. However, during the droughts of summer, we spend a lot of time, energy and money insuring that our lawns have enough water to survive. Often, we aren't aware that it is becoming harder to provide the large quantities of safe, clean water for our use. While 80% of the earth's surface is covered with water, only 1% of this water is fresh water we can use.
Galveston Bay also requires its share of fresh water! Maintaining the fresh water inflows to Galveston Bay during critical periods is one of the most important factors governing the health of the Bay. These inflows affect the amount of salt in the Bay which, in turn, can drastically alter the Bay's ecosystems. Water conservation measures practiced by homeowners can significantly help maintain the amount of fresh water which reaches the Bay.
 |
Here are a few water facts and tips on how you can conserve this resource while saving money on your utility bills: |
|
The average Texan uses about 168 gallons of water each day! |
|
A dripping faucet wastes 350 gallons of water a day; a silent leak in the toilet wastes 7000 gallons. A bath uses 30-50 gallons of water while a short shower uses only 10. |
|
Installing a low flow shower head can reduce the amount of water used while showering by at least 25%. A standard shower head uses 5 to 10 gallons of water per minute. A low flow shower head has a flow rate of 3.5 gallons per minute or less. |
|
Install a faucet aerator which can reduce water use by up to one-half. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving. |
|
Reduce the water used when you flush the toilet with a toilet dam or by simply placing a gallon jug of water in your toilet tank. In addition, when buying a new toilet, choose a water efficient one that uses 3.5 gallons or less per flush. |
|
In urban areas of Texas, between 40 and 60% of the water supply is used for landscape and garden watering. Landscapes planted with native trees, shrubs and grasses, which are acclimated t our area, can be maintained with 25 to 40% less water. |
|
Use mulch wherever possible. A good mulch conserves water by reducing the amount of moisture which evaporates from the soil by up to 70%. Mulch also reduces weed populations and prevents soil compaction. It can help winterize your yard by keeping soil temperatures moderate. Some common mulches include pine bark, compost, wood chips, pine needles and leaves. |
Water Conservation is really very simple. It just means changing the way we do a few small things around the house and in the yard. And the benefits are great! No only can you reduce your utility bills, but you can also insure that there is enough fresh water to maintain Galveston Bay's ecosystem.