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Much of the southern U.S. is experiencing drought conditions. Conserving water at home can help! If you want to save water but don’t have the budget for a bathroom makeover or landscaping redesign, follow these steps to stop pouring money down the drain. Trash your tissues. Don’t flush them—one less flush per day can save [...]

Installing a rain water gauge on your property will help you determine how many inches of rain have fallen.  Knowing the average weekly precipitation amount helps gardeners apply the correct amount of water with automatic irrigation systems.  Drought stress can hurt landscape plants, but over-watering can also kill plants by depriving the roots of oxygen. [...]

Did you know that most people in the United States live within a mile of a river or stream? More than 60 percent of our drinking water comes from rivers and streams, which also support a variety of wildlife and fish, and provide many recreation opportunities. Fishing alone generates an estimated 116 billion dollars in [...]

Drought is expected to hang around in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and many other states into 2012 according to federal experts.  But gardeners can do many things to help out their outdoor greenery, including watering roots deeply, mulching to insulate the base of plants and replacing water-hogging plants with drought-tolerant options native to their region. [...]

The holiday season is a time for happy gatherings of family and friends. But a house full of guests can also result in higher energy bills, increased water use and stressed septic systems. Try these easy tips for a happy, healthy and environmentally-friendly holiday gathering. Heating Help: Keep everyone warm and save energy at the [...]

Mulch is any covering placed around plants. Mulch conserves water because and prevents erosion by slowing runoff and permitting your landscape to better absorb and retain water from winter rains. Mulch also suppresses weed growth, shelters the soil from temperature extremes and improves appearance of your landscape. Viewer Tip: Apply a two- to three-inch layer [...]

Did you know that toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home? They account for nearly 30 percent of your family’s water use indoors! Viewer Tip: If you are searching for ways to save money on your water bill, look for the WaterSense label at your local home improvement store. [...]

Weather-based irrigation controllers can easily save 25 percent or more of the water applied to your landscape.  The arrival of fall means cooler temperatures and the onset of rain, and typically gardens and landscapes need to be watered less frequently, if at all.  A weather-based irrigation controller equipped with a rain sensor will prevent your [...]

Drip irrigation can save up to 50 percent on your outside water usage. Water applied using drip irrigation is applied more slowly than other methods, such as overhead spray and hand-watering.  The water is absorbed into the soil rather than running off onto sidewalks and ultimately into storm drains. Drip irrigation is great for watering [...]

The average household spends as much as $650 per year on its water and sewer bill. But did you know you could save about $200 per year by retrofitting with water-efficient fixtures and incorporating water-saving practices? Viewer Tip: Looking for a little home improvement project this Labor Day weekend? Making some simple changes around the [...]

Many states are experiencing impacts from drought or dry weather, including impacts on agriculture, water and energy supplies, fires and other environmental conditions. While humans cannot prevent droughts from occurring, we can do our part to avoid intensifying their affects through our water usage. Viewer Tip: Conserving water at home doesn’t have to be a chore.  [...]

Peak water use season describes the time of year when communities experience their highest spike in water use—and their biggest water supply challenges. The average home uses 260 gallons of water per day, but that can rise to 1,000 gallons per day during peak watering season, and some homes can use as much as 3,000 [...]

July is Smart Irrigation Month! Up to 50 percent of the water used on landscapes goes to waste from evaporation and runoff. Making the most of the water you apply to your landscape—whether from a hose or an irrigation system—can save you gallons and money on your utility bill. Viewer Tip: Take these steps for [...]

As we move into the warmest months of the year, it is important to pay attention to the amount of moisture available to plants in your garden. Heavy rains in the spring can be followed by the driest of summers. Plant selection becomes even more crucial in areas prone to drought. Check the drought trends [...]

Although we tend to use more water outdoors during the summer months, up to 70 percent of the water we need at home is used indoors. Viewer Tip: Weather keeping you inside? Keep these water-saving tips in mind: Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the [...]

With much of Texas in a drought and hot days ahead, consider helping your plants through the sweltering summer season. Plants can cool off by shedding water from leaf surfaces through evapotranspiration. But even evapotranspiration might not protect them from unusually hot weather. Viewer Tip: If you have been careful to fill your sunny spots [...]

How many gallons of water can you save in a day?  Saving water at home can be as easy as turning the water off while brushing your teeth, which saves up to eight gallons of water per day – and almost 3,000 gallons for the whole year.  That’s enough water to run an Energy Star [...]

How many gallons of water can you save in a day?  Saving water at home can be as easy as turning the water off while brushing your teeth, which saves up to eight gallons of water per day – and almost 3,000 gallons for the whole year.  That’s enough water to run an Energy Star [...]

This week (April 10-17, 2011) is National Environmental Education Week (EE Week – a sister program of Earth Gauge), the nation’s largest environmental education event held each year the week before Earth Day to inspire environmental learning and stewardship among students and the public. This year’s EE Week theme is “Ocean Connections,” highlighting that no [...]

March 14 through 20 is the third annual Fix a Leak Week, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted in the average home every year—enough to fill a backyard swimming pool. But stopping leaks is as easy as “check, twist, replace.” Check for leaks. [...]