Water Wise Denton

Help clean Denton's waterways this Saturday December 7th.

Temperatures dipping below freezing for a long period of time can be fatal to your home's water system if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Here are a few things you can do:

1. For every faucet, turn on the cold tap and let the water drip a slow, steady stream. This should be about 7 drops a minute.
2. Open the cabinets below where the pipes are located for every faucet, especially areas of your home where an outside wall is directly on the other side.
3. Cover your outside faucets. You can buy faucet covers, or you can DIY using a towel and some tape.
4. Turn off your sprinklers!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

There are two types of WaterSense labelled controllers which are weather-based and soil moisture-based irrigation controllers. Both are created to better match your plants watering needs. Weather-based uses local weather data to determine if irrigation should continue or be skipped. Soil-moisture based uses sensors in-ground to determine if irrigation should continue or be skipped.

For more information check out:

WaterSense Labeled Controllers | US EPA

A rain garden is best for that low area, most likely near a gutter, in your flower bed that is constantly washed out. It is designed so that when it rains the water is redirected for native plants to enjoy the water. It is the best way to reduce runoff in your garden beds and it will save you some headache that a wash out can create. Pictured below are some examples of a rain garden.

For more information check out:

Soak Up the Rain: Rain Gardens | US EPA

Did you know that the average family can waste 180 gallons of water per week resulting in 9,400 gallons wasted annually? Check out The Blue House an interactive tool that shows you how to save water in your home.

Blue House - Smart Approved WaterMark

If you see a WaterSense Label on a product, then it is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as a water saving tool. There are several WaterSense products you can purchase for every part of your home that uses water. A home that is fully equipped with WaterSense products can save 50,000 gallons of water or more!

For more information and a full list of WaterSense products check out:

WaterSense | US EPA

Fall and winter is the best time to start making a landscaping plan for next season, and WaterSmart landscapes or xeriscapes are the best in the long run. These landscapes are not always a gravel yard. To get some ideas, the Environmental Protection Agency created a gallery of photos of WaterSmart landscapes. Pictured below are few favorites, but you can check them all out at:

Landscape Photo Gallery | US EPA

There are a few sustainable ways to recycle water and give your flowers, herbs, or garden a variety mineral that can’t be found in store bought fertilizers.

1. Rainwater is great to give to your outdoor plants directly and collect for your indoor plants. Keep in mind, rainwater can be prone to bacteria growth. To avoid this, every month add 1 ounce of bleach to every 55 gallons of rainwater. Let sit undisturbed for 24 hours for dilution.
2. Pasta water is nutrient- and starch-rich water that is perfect for your house plants. Pasta water will have nutrients like manganese, selenium, copper, and iron. Just make sure you let the water cool down to room temperature before giving it to your plants.
3. Aquarium water is a great way to reuse your water after your next cleaning. Aquarium water will have nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Be sure to use freshwater and not saltwater.
4. Dehumidifier grey water is perfect for a few houseplants; just dump into your plants instead of down the drain!

Join us for the 2024 Stream Clean!