Water Conservation and Water Restrictions in North Texas: What Homeowners Should Know

Water is an essential resource in North Texas, especially during our long, hot summers. As temperatures climb and rainfall becomes less predictable, cities throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex may encourage conservation or implement watering schedules and drought restrictions to help manage demand.

For homeowners, conserving water doesn’t necessarily mean making major lifestyle changes. Fixing plumbing leaks, improving irrigation habits, upgrading inefficient fixtures, and simply paying closer attention to how much water your household uses can make a meaningful difference.

It can also save you money.

According to the EPA’s WaterSense program, the average household can waste roughly 9,400 gallons of water each year from leaks alone.

Here are some practical ways North Texas homeowners can conserve water while also keeping their plumbing systems in good condition.

Why Is Water Conservation Important in North Texas?

North Texas relies heavily on surface-water supplies, making the region particularly sensitive to extended periods of heat and limited rainfall. Summer also happens to be when household and landscape water demand increases.

Water conservation helps communities reduce unnecessary demand and preserve available supplies.

Water restrictions can vary considerably depending on your city and current drought conditions. Some communities establish specific watering days based on addresses or other criteria, while additional restrictions may be implemented during drought conditions.

Because requirements can change, homeowners should always check their city or local water utility’s current watering rules rather than assuming the same restrictions apply throughout DFW.

1. Fix Plumbing Leaks Quickly

One of the easiest ways to conserve water is also one of the most important plumbing maintenance tasks: fix leaks.

A dripping faucet might not look serious, and a running toilet can be easy to ignore. But small amounts of water flowing continuously can add up quickly.

Common sources of household water waste include:

• Running toilets

• Dripping faucets

• Leaking showerheads

• Outdoor faucet leaks

• Irrigation system leaks

• Appliance supply-line leaks

• Underground water-line leaks

• Slab leaks

The EPA estimates that fixing easily corrected household leaks can save homeowners around 10% on their water bills.

If your water bill suddenly increases without a clear explanation, don’t automatically assume you’re simply using more water.

You could have a hidden leak.

2. Check Your Water Meter for Hidden Leaks

Your home’s water meter can help you identify water usage that shouldn’t be occurring.

Start by turning off everything that uses water. Make sure faucets are closed, toilets aren’t running, appliances aren’t operating, and your irrigation system is off.

Then check the water meter.

Wait for a period without using water and check it again.

If the meter reading changes, water may be escaping somewhere in the system. The EPA specifically recommends meter monitoring as one method homeowners can use to identify possible hidden leaks.

A licensed plumber can perform additional testing if you suspect a slab leak, underground water-line leak, or another hidden plumbing problem.

3. Pay Attention to Your Water Bill

Your monthly water bill can provide valuable information about the condition of your plumbing.

Get familiar with your household’s normal water usage.

If consumption suddenly jumps without a reasonable explanation—such as filling a swimming pool, increased irrigation, or additional guests—investigate the change.

An unexpectedly high water bill could be caused by something as simple as a running toilet or something more significant like an underground leak.

Catching the problem early can conserve water and potentially prevent additional property damage.

4. Follow Your City’s Watering Restrictions

Outdoor irrigation represents a significant portion of residential water usage.

North Texas Municipal Water District’s conservation program limits spray irrigation within its member communities to no more than twice per week from April through October and prohibits lawn irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. under its permanent conservation schedule. Individual cities determine their specific schedules, so residents should verify their local requirements.

Restrictions may become more stringent when drought-management stages are activated.

Don’t assume your watering schedule is the same as a neighboring city.

Check your city’s website or water utility for the latest requirements for your address.

5. Water Your Lawn Efficiently

Following watering restrictions doesn’t mean your landscaping has to suffer.

In many cases, watering more efficiently is better than watering more frequently.

Avoid irrigating during the hottest part of the day, when more water can be lost to evaporation. Check sprinkler heads regularly for damage, and make sure you’re watering the lawn rather than sidewalks, driveways, and streets.

Look for:

• Broken sprinkler heads

• Water spraying onto pavement

• Excessive runoff

• Soggy areas

• Irrigation zones that won’t shut off

• Water pooling around sprinkler heads

The EPA estimates that inefficient irrigation practices can waste significant amounts of outdoor water, making irrigation maintenance an important part of household conservation.

6. Check Your Toilets for Leaks

Toilets are one of the most common places for water to be wasted without homeowners realizing it.

A worn flapper, malfunctioning fill valve, or another internal component can allow water to continuously move from the tank into the bowl.

Listen for a toilet that randomly refills even though nobody has used it.

If you hear the toilet periodically turning on by itself, there’s a good chance water is escaping somewhere inside the fixture.

Repairing the problem can be one of the simplest ways to reduce unnecessary household water consumption.

7. Consider Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures

If you’re replacing an older toilet, faucet, or showerhead, consider installing a more water-efficient model.

The EPA’s WaterSense program identifies fixtures designed to use less water while meeting performance standards. WaterSense-labeled products are generally at least 20% more water-efficient than standard models within their categories.

Water-efficient options are available for:

• Toilets

• Bathroom faucets

• Faucet aerators

• Showerheads

• Irrigation controllers

You don’t necessarily need to replace every fixture in your house at once. Upgrading older fixtures as they need replacement can gradually reduce household water consumption.

8. Don’t Let the Faucet Run Unnecessarily

Small habits can also add up.

Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth instead of letting water continuously run.

Run the dishwasher only when you have a full load.

When washing dishes by hand, avoid leaving the faucet running unnecessarily.

The EPA estimates that turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth can save several gallons of water each day.

These changes might seem small individually, but multiply them across every person in the household and every day of the year, and the savings become significant.

9. Consider Smart Leak Detection

Technology can also help homeowners monitor water consumption.

Whole-home leak detection and flow-monitoring devices can track water usage and alert homeowners when unusual patterns are detected. Some systems can even automatically shut off the home’s water supply when a potentially serious leak occurs.

The EPA notes that these devices can help identify irregular water usage and reduce both water waste and potential property damage from leaks.

For homeowners who travel frequently or simply want additional protection against hidden plumbing leaks, a smart water-monitoring system may be worth considering.

10. Don’t Ignore Signs of an Underground Leak

North Texas homeowners should pay particular attention to unexplained water usage because underground leaks aren’t always obvious.

Possible warning signs include:

• Increasing water bills

• A water meter that continues moving

• Unusually wet areas in the yard

• Warm areas on flooring

• Reduced water pressure

• Running-water sounds

• Damp flooring

• Water appearing around the foundation

These symptoms could indicate an underground water-line leak or slab leak.

Professional leak detection can help determine where the water is escaping before unnecessary repairs or excavation are performed.

Water Conservation Starts With a Leak-Free Home

Following local watering restrictions is important, but conservation doesn’t stop at the sprinkler system.

One of the most effective things homeowners can do is make sure the water they’re paying for is actually being used—not disappearing through a running toilet, leaking faucet, damaged water line, or hidden slab leak.

If you’ve noticed an unexplained increase in water usage or suspect a plumbing leak, Total Plumbing Service Inc. can help.

We provide professional water leak detection, slab leak detection and repair, underground water-line repair, fixture repair, toilet repair, and other plumbing services throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex.

Total Plumbing Service Inc. has served North Texas homeowners since 1996. Our licensed plumbers can help locate plumbing leaks, explain your repair options, and help keep unnecessary water waste—and your water bill—under control.

Contact Total Plumbing Service Inc. today if you suspect a water leak in your home.