Water Conservation

Why Save Water?

Most people do not think of electricity savings or cleaner water when they turn off the faucet while brushing their teeth. Water conservation is largely thought of as a water quantity saver. Yet, conservation has deeper benefits than just insuring enough water is available.

Cleaner Water

If you get your water from wells-- whether public or private-- water conservation helps to maintain the quality of your water. The quality of water that is produced from a well directly affects the cost of treating the water.

Photo courtesy of Alan Cherepon (TCEQ)

Think of the ground (aquifer) as a wet sponge, and a well as a straw drawing water from that sponge. The more holes in the sponge and the more connected the holes are, the greater volume of water the well can produce and the further the distance water in the aquifer can travel to reach the well.

Sometimes if the sponge has small holes and they are isolated, the water that is produced from the wells must come from isolated areas and the production and general quality of water produced from these isolated areas can be poorer. Conversely, the greater the distance water travels to get to the well, the greater chance that risky land use practices or leaks and spills of contaminants can affect the quality of water produced from the well.

Reduced Costs, Cleaner Environment

Adding additional sources of water to meet peak demands can be expensive to develop and to treat. Water conservation can result in more consistent demand for water and reduce overall treatment cost if the quality of the water being treated is consistent.

Water in equals water out. For urban users, water conservation reduces wastewater treatment costs and allows for more effective treatment.

Saving Energy

One of the best benefits of water conservation arises from energy savings. Water is hefty to move and hard to heat. Saving water means saving electricity from both water pumps and water heaters.