Harris County Municipal Utility District 264

The West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA) has withdrawn all their drought conditions. As a receiver of the WHCRWA, our drought conditions have now been lifted. Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and understanding, and have a wonderful holiday season.

Even though we’re no longer in a drought, water conservation is still important: every drop counts! Listed below are some of the many steps that all residents of our community can easily do to reduce consumption.

In addition to the steps listed below, Harris County MUD 264 residents should subscribe to Eye-On-Water to monitor their water usage.  This free utility is available to all HC MUD 264 customers.  To sign-up for Eye-On-Water, follow this link:  http://www.hcmud264.org/amr-meters/.

Ways to Conserve Water in the Yard

• Use a broom, not a water hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
• When your kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler were your lawn needs it most.
• Set a timer to remind you when to turn off the sprinklers. A running hose can let out up to 10 gallons of water per minute.
• Water during the early morning or evening hours since evaporation losses will be up to 60 percent higher during the day.
• Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth.

Ways to Conserve Water in the Bathroom

• When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the faucet. Then, adjust the temperature as the water is running.
• Better yet, take five-minute showers instead of baths. A full bathtub requires up to 70 gallons of water. If you keep your shower under five minutes, you will save up to 1,000 gallons per month.
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and you can save up to four gallons per minute. That equals 200 gallons per week for a family of four.
• Check faucets and shower heads for leaks and make sure you turn them off tightly after each use. One drip every second adds up to five gallons per day. Install aerators and flow reducers in sinks and shower faucets.
• Test your toilets for leaks – toilet leaks can be silent! A good way to check is by putting food coloring in your toilet tank – if it seeps into the bowl without flushing, then there is a leak that needs fixing

Ways to Conserve Water in the Kitchen

• Use your dishwasher- it uses less water than washing dishes by hand. Make sure it is a full load before starting a cycle, and you will save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
• If you have to wash a few pots by hand rinsing, turn the water off when you are not rinsing. Better yet, instead of running the water while you scrub the pots and pans, soak them in soap and water.
• Use a designated water bottle or glass to refill all day, allowing you to cut down the number of glasses to wash.
• Defrost food in the refrigerator rather than running it under the faucet. Cook food in as little water as possible to conserve water and retain more nutrients.
• If you accidentally drop ice cubes, place them in a house plant instead of tossing them in the sink.

Ways to Conserve Water in the Laundry

• Wash only a full load when using an automatic washing machine (32 to 59 gallons are required per load).
• Use the lowest water-level setting possible on the washing machine for light or partial loads.

Harris County MUD No. 264 has been placed in the “Stage 1: Mild Drought” stage of its Drought Contingency Plan. In this stage, residents are asked to voluntarily reduce water consumption whenever possible. Please try to remain conscious of your water usage while we all proceed through this together. Every drop counts!

Listed below are some of the many steps that all residents of our community can easily do to reduce consumption.

In addition to the steps listed below, customers should subscribe to Eye-On-Water to monitor their water usage.  This free utility is available to all HC MUD 264 customers.  To sign-up for Eye-On-Water, follow this link:  http://www.hcmud264.org/amr-meters/.

Ways to Conserve Water in the Yard

• Use a broom, not a water hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
• When your kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler were your lawn needs it most.
• Set a timer to remind you when to turn off the sprinklers. A running hose can let out up to 10 gallons of water per minute.
• Water during the early morning or evening hours since evaporation losses will be up to 60 percent higher during the day.
• Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth.

Ways to Conserve Water in the Bathroom

• When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the faucet. Then, adjust the temperature as the water is running.
• Better yet, take five-minute showers instead of baths. A full bathtub requires up to 70 gallons of water. If you keep your shower under five minutes, you will save up to 1,000 gallons per month.
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and you can save up to four gallons per minute. That equals 200 gallons per week for a family of four.
• Check faucets and shower heads for leaks and make sure you turn them off tightly after each use. One drip every second adds up to five gallons per day. Install aerators and flow reducers in sinks and shower faucets.
• Test your toilets for leaks – toilet leaks can be silent! A good way to check is by putting food coloring in your toilet tank – if it seeps into the bowl without flushing, then there is a leak that needs fixing

Ways to Conserve Water in the Kitchen

• Use your dishwasher- it uses less water than washing dishes by hand. Make sure it is a full load before starting a cycle, and you will save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
• If you have to wash a few pots by hand rinsing, turn the water off when you are not rinsing. Better yet, instead of running the water while you scrub the pots and pans, soak them in soap and water.
• Use a designated water bottle or glass to refill all day, allowing you to cut down the number of glasses to wash.
• Defrost food in the refrigerator rather than running it under the faucet. Cook food in as little water as possible to conserve water and retain more nutrients.
• If you accidentally drop ice cubes, place them in a house plant instead of tossing them in the sink.

Ways to Conserve Water in the Laundry

• Wash only a full load when using an automatic washing machine (32 to 59 gallons are required per load).
• Use the lowest water-level setting possible on the washing machine for light or partial loads.