Water

In order to conserve water during current drought conditions, the City of Houston has implemented Stage 1 of its Drought Contingency Plan.  During this stage, the North Mission Glen Municipal Utility District Board of Directors is requesting that all residents of the District take the following voluntary measures:

• Check for and repair all leaks, dripping faucets, and running toilets.
• Check sprinkler heads to make sure that water is not spraying into the street or directly into a storm drain.
• Utilize water conservation measures such as displacement bags, low-flow shower heads, and leak detection tablets.
• Limit irrigation to no more than two (2) days per week, between 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Start in the Bathroom

Did you know that about 75% of water used in the home is used in the bathroom? Look for ways to save water whenever possible. You’ll help Texas and reduce your water bill.

• Bathing: Take a shower instead of a bath to save water. A short shower uses less water than a long one. A low-flow showerhead saves water by as much as 50% while still providing a refreshing, cleansing shower.
  Installing a low-flow showerhead is the single most effective conservation step that can be taken inside the home.
• Toilet: Standard toilets manufactured prior to the 1980s usually require 5-7 gallons per flush.
  Toilets sold during the ‘80s and early ‘90s use 3.5 gallons per flush. The most significant savings come from replacing your toilet with a 1.6-gallon model. Since 1992 in Texas and 1994 nationally, new toilets must use 1.6 gallons or less per flush. Do not use a brick in your toilet tank. The brick will crumble and can damage the fixture.
• Lavatory: Change your habits! Don’t let water run continuously while brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your hands. Additionally, a low-flow faucet aerator can save water use by up to 50%.

On to the kitchen for more savings…

About 8% of in-home water use takes place in the kitchen. And now for the Kitchen Sink –

• Run water only when necessary.
• Fill the basin or a dishpan to rinse dishes instead of using running water.
• Soak pots and pans before washing.
• Fill the basin or a pan with water to wash fruits and vegetables.
• Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge rather than running tap water until it is cold enough to drink.
• Operate the garbage disposal only when necessary.

Dishwasher Tips

• Wash only full loads.
• When you need to buy a new machine, take a look at the water-saving models. Newer models can cut water use by 25% and generally are no more expensive than non- conserving models.

All Around the House

• Washing machines: Doing the laundry requires about 14% of water used inside the home.
• Conserve by adjusting the water level to match the size of your loads.
• Wash only full loads.

Pipes: Insulate hot water pipes where possible to avoid long delays and wasted water while waiting for the water to “run hot.”

Water Heater: Check the thermostat. Don’t have your water heater thermostat set too high. Settings higher than 125 degrees waste energy since the water must be mixed with cold water before use.

and most important…fix those leaks!

• Leaks can account for 10% or more of the water bill. Leaks waste both water and energy.

Need proof? A toilet with a silent leak of one cup of water a minute – a mere dribble – wastes about 2,700 GALLONS OF WATER A MONTH. That’s not just water down the drain; that’s dollars down the drain. Your dollars.

Effective January 1, 2022, the new NFBWA pumpage fee will be $4.90 per 1,000 gallons of water delivered by the NFBWA.

On average, a single-family home devotes at least 30 percent of its water for outdoor uses such as landscape irrigation, but that amount can be as much as 70 percent in arid regions. Unfortunately, without efficient watering practices, up to 50 percent of that water can go to waste due to inefficient watering methods and irrigation systems. Irrigation professionals, water utilities, and professional certifying organizations can use the materials and ideas in this section to help homeowners reduce outdoor water use and promote a healthy landscape that’s both beautiful and water-efficient.

During times of drought, it is doubly important to reduce outdoor water use and help save water around the home.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use chlorine disinfection, such as those in North Mission Glen Municipal Utility District’s drinking water system, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.

More Information

• Water Transmission and COVID-19 (PDF)
• Coronavirus: Toilet Paper Panic Trickle-Down Effect (PDF)
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html

There is no higher priority for EPA than protecting the health and safety of Americans. EPA is providing this important information about COVID-19 as it relates to drinking water and wastewater to provide clarity to the public. The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies. Based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low. Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual. For details, visit:  https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-drinking-water-and-wastewater