According to the EPA, the average household uses 320 gallons of water per day. In the City of Denton, at least 40 percent of this goes to lawn irrigation, and this increases to around 70 percent during summer. Approximately 10,000 gallons per household is lost each year from leaking toilets, faucets, and valves.
To achieve Denton’s water conservation goals, the City promotes water conservation practices, enforces the Lawn and Landscape Ordinance, and has adopted the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan. Here are some easy tips on how to save on your water bill.
Six Ways You Can Conserve Water: Inside
- Look for the WaterSense label when replacing fixtures or appliances.
- Install low-flow high-pressure shower heads to save approximately 15 gallons for every 10-minute shower.
- Repair household leaks for an estimated savings of 800 gallons per month.
- Soak/scrape dishes rather than rinsing.
- Run full loads in the dishwasher or laundry to reduce water consumption by 300 to 800 gallons per month.
- Replace older toilets with low-flow models for an estimated savings of 100 gallons per month.
Six Ways You Can Conserve Water: Outside
- Water when and where needed. Overwatering usually results in excessive water running down the driveways, sidewalks, and streets.
- Water between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to maximize water absorption and eliminate the risk of scorching your landscape. From June 1 to Sept. 30, watering outside these times is prohibited, except for hand-watering and the use of soaker hoses for foundations.
- Water no more than twice a week to encourage deep root systems, which are better equipped to withstand the extreme Texas summer heat. Water waste can be reported by calling (940) 349-8468.
- Install water-wise landscaping. Choose native plants to reduce irrigation needs and add mulch in landscape beds to retain soil moisture. Visit the Dyno Dirt page for mulch and composting products.
- Use efficient irrigation. Consider drip irrigation and efficient sprinkler heads to minimize waste. Smart irrigation controllers use weather data to irrigate only when needed.
- Check your irrigation system for leaks regularly and contact a licensed professional to repair broken or leaking irrigation.
Free In-home Water Audits
To help identify opportunities to save water and money on your water bill, the City offers free in-home water audits. Water audits are simple and usually last less than an hour. A representative will look for potential indoor and outdoor leaks, and review the best ways you can save water in your home or business.
To schedule a residential or commercial water audit, fill out and submit the form below, and a representative will call you. For inquiries specific to your utility account, contact Customer Service at (940) 349-8700 or CustomerService@cityofdenton.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
- I have a water related emergency, who do I call?
If a life threatening emergency has occurred, call 911. For a non-life threatening emergency, call Customer Service at (940) 349-8700 from 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For after-hours emergency, call our emergency utility dispatch line at (940) 349-7000.
- How do I report an issues with our system, such as a leak or clog?
Report an emergency water main break, clogged or overflowing sewer main, or leaking water meter or hydrant to Utilities Dispatch at (940) 349-7000. For non-emergency water-related inquiries, call (940) 349-7176. For non-emergency waste water-related inquiries, call (940) 349-7300.