Water Wise Denton

As we continue to get closer to stage 1 drought restrictions, we want to encourage our customers to save water and limit landscape watering to trees, shrubs and plants no more than twice weekly. Green grass is not sustainable in this heat.

We are urging residents to conserve. Yesterday we used 41.6 million gallons of water. A new record high. Please avoid washing cars at home, and please remember to water no more than twice a week.

What is a water footprint?

A water footprint is the amount of produced water used to produce an item, good or service. Produced water is water that has been removed from a water source, such as a well or lake, and treated for use. It does not include rainwater.

What are the footprints of some everyday items:

- 1 cup of coffee = 37 Gallons of Water

- 1 pair of blue jeans = 2642 Gallons of Water

- 1 single pasta noodle = 1/2 Gallon of Water

- 1 smartphone = 240 Gallons of Water

- 1 disposable diaper = 144 Gallons of Water

How can these items require so much water?

Many of these items need water to be grown, produced, manufactured and transported. Beef, for example, which takes 4068 gallons to produce 2 lbs, requires water not only for the cattle, but for the grain grown to feed the cattle, manufacture and transport.

Becoming aware of your water footprint is a great place to start building awareness of just how much water we REALLY use.

Yesterday a new record high water usage was hit, as demand reached 40.54 MGD. Please continue to conserve, irrigate no more than twice a week, as we get through the last few weeks of high temperatures.

This time of year many of us reflect back fondly to just 2 months ago when we had lush gardens and green lawns. While the earth outside more closely resembles burnt toast, we start to daydream about October, when Summer has said its farewell and things in North Texas Spring to life again. Fall, and particularly October, is the best time to plant perennials to ensure a strong root system that can survive the next summer's heat is developed.

The following list of low maintenance, Drought Tolerant Perennials will set your yard up for success next summer

Ajuga, Artemisia, Baby's Breath, Baptisia, Bee balm, Black-Eyed Susan, Butterfly Weed, Candytuft, Chrysanthemum, Columbine, Coneflower, Corabells, Coreopsis, Daylily, Gaillardia, Gaura, Gazania, Gerbera daisy, Goldenrod, Hardy Ice plant, Hellebores, Hosta, Iris, Lamb's Ears, Lantana, Liatris, Lily of the Nile, Mexican Sunflower, Peony, Perovskia, Phlox, Red Hot Poker, Salvia, Sedum, Shasta Daisy, Stokes' Aster, Verbascum, Verbena, Veronica, Yarrow.

We all know that water is a precious resource, and one of the largest residential water consumptions comes from irrigation. With many of our residents living in apartments, dorms or even homes with yards that are not landscaped, you may be wondering what you can do to make a difference. Considering your water footprint is a great place to start! Have you ever wondered how much water goes into the making of your favorite foods? Hint, it's more than you might think! Just look at the graphic below - that's for just 1 burger! And you just might be able to save water with your eating habits!

Small steps to conserve water can make a huge difference when we all work together! Here are some easy ways to make a difference:

• Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a basin. Use a vegetable brush.
• Do not use water to defrost frozen foods, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
• Use a broom, not the hose to clear debris from porches and walkways
• Never use your toilet as a waste basket.
• Do not let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth.

Yesterday Monday the 31st we reached the highest demand for the year at 39.6 Million Gallons. That puts us just 2.9 million gallons away from stage 1 drought based on usage numbers. Please continue to use water wisely:

- Use a broom, not the hose to clear walkways

- Fix broken Sprinkler Heads

- Never water between 10am and 6pm

- Water no more than twice a week

- Report leaks and water waste

The conservation request has been lifted and we are proud to report that our residents used 9% less water during the requested time Tuesday, than what was used on Monday.

Thank you for your support!

REMINDER! We are requesting all citizens refrain from non-essential usage of water today, Tuesday July 25th. Normal water usage may resume tomorrow.