Simple steps to reduce water usage now can prevent future restrictions.
The City of Killeen Water Conservation Plan is in effect each year from May 1 through September 30. The plan establishes four stages beginning with voluntary conservation and progressing to mandatory restrictions.
Killeen will automatically enter Stage 1, public education and voluntary conservation, Tuesday. This stage imposes no restrictions but encourages residents to begin voluntarily conserving water so that further restrictions may be prevented.
Water demand trends up in the summer as temperatures rise and outdoor activities pick up. Increased demand can strain the water supply, so daily steps to reduce use can lessen the demand and extend the supply.
The City offers the following tips for reducing daily water usage:
Repair leaky faucets, fixtures and pipes
Turn water off while washing dishes, brushing teeth or shaving
Scrape dishes instead of rinsing before placing them in the dishwasher
Rinse produce in a pan of water then reuse remaining water on household plants
Check toilets for leaks by adding food coloring to the tank; if color appears in the bowl, you have a leak
Take showers instead of baths; install low-flow shower heads
Wash only full loads of laundry when possible, or use the lowest water level setting for light or partial loads
Use sprinklers that produce large drops of water instead of mist
Set sprinkler systems to water 1 inch every 5 days between midnight and 10 a.m.
Adjust sprinkler heads that are spraying sidewalks, driveways or streets
Use drip irrigation for flower beds, shrubs and trees
Condition soil with mulch or compost to retain moisture
Set lawnmower on higher setting; taller grass retains more moisture
Use a bucket of water to wash vehicles; only turn on hose for rinsing
The full Water Conservation Plan is available at killeentexas.gov/wcp.