Expert West Texas Tips for Saving Money on Your Water Bill

Warmer months can wreak havoc on your water bill, especially when you rely on your sprinkler system to keep your grass and plants alive under the hot West Texas sun.

The City of Odessa has released a one-stop guide for all things saving water, such as turning the sink off when you brush your teeth or limiting showers to 2 minutes each. So, let's look at ways that can save you money on your water bill here in West Texas.

Lower My Water Bill in West Texas

According to the City of Odessa website, fixing a leaking toilet can save families upwards of 7,000 gallons of water each year. If you really want to go all out, you can invest in a WaterSense toilet. Sure, they may be a bit pricey, but you're playing the long game here by focusing on the money over time you're saving without having to worry about water leaks.

Also, turning the tap water off when you brush your teeth can save you a reported 2,900 gallons ($13) a year. It's simple: faucet on to rinse your brush, faucet off to brush your teeth.

This next bit might be hard for some folks, but reducing your time in the shower to just 2 minutes each go-around can actually save a family of four about $36 a year.

This means that, by just making some slight alterations to your daily routine, a family of four can save over $200 a year on indoor water expenses alone.

How to Save Money on Outdoor Water Bills

Now, we get to the good stuff. Did you know that many West Texas lawns are overwatered? Homeowners can try limiting how much they water their grass to just one inch a week. This can save up to 15,000 gallons of water each year.

On that note, try only watering in the morning to reduce evaporation in the hot late-afternoon sun. Adding mulch can also help reduce the amount of water needed for your yard as it helps retain moisture longer.

Finally, fixing those pesky sprinkler heads can save you loads on your water bills. Even if you don't see an obvious leak, it's always worth it to take a look and do a system check. You never know if you've been graciously donating water to Mother Earth this whole time without even knowing it...