10 ways to save money on your water bill

Want to offset the impact of higher water bills?

Beginning March 1, investments to boost our system reliability and future water supply will result in an increase of $9.03 per month on the typical residential water bill. However, customers who reduce consumption to less than about 3,000 gallons per month will also see a $14 waiver of the water supply replacement charge, putting even more money back in your wallet.

With mindful changes at home to cut your water use, you will be rewarded with a lower water bill. Not only does water conservation save you money, but you will also be doing your part to ensure a sustainable water supply for El Paso’s future.  

1. Follow the landscape watering schedule. Our city’s Conservation Ordinance of 1991 limited watering and established irrigation times from April 1-Sept. 30. As the mercury starts to rise, we encourage our customers to water smarter and stick to our time-of-day watering schedule. Gardeners may water their landscapes up to three times a week before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. No residential watering is allowed on Mondays.
2. Switch to smart watering with an irrigation smart controller. Weather-based irrigation controllers use local weather data and landscape conditions to customize the amount, frequency and timing. The result is more precise and water-efficient irrigation for your landscape, further benefiting your water bill.
3. Take short showers of 5 minutes or less. A long, hot shower may sound enticing, but it will cost you. A 10-minute shower uses up to 25 gallons of water, while a bath can use up to 70 gallons of water. Also, while you’re waiting for the water to heat up for your shower, capture it in a bucket and use it to water your plants.
4. Fix your leaks. Did you know 10 drips per minute equals more than 1,000 gallons per year of water that is lost? Use your water meter to check your home for leaks. Also, make it a routine to check for leaky taps, toilets and hose connections. Visit our webpage on finding leaks for more tips and information.
5. Shop for products displaying the WaterSense label. Is it time to replace a toilet, faucet or fixture in your home? WaterSense-labeled products meet the EPA’s strict specifications for water efficiency and performance, saving you money.
6. Cover your swimming pool when not in use. An average pool can lose up to 100 gallons per day if not covered. During warmer months, evaporation results in significant water waste. Use a pool cover to reduce the amount of water needed to maintain the pool water level.
7. Leave the car wash to professionals. Let the car wash do the dirty work and save about 100 gallons of water at home per wash. Commercial car washes use 60% less water than you use just to rinse your car, according to the EPA. Also, washing harmful grime off your car at home could eventually end up and pollute our local waterways.
8. Run dishwasher and laundry machine only when full. Your appliances save water, especially when run with a full load. Furthermore, to save money on energy bills, set your washing machine to use cold water only. Also, scrape the plates before placing them in the dishwasher, and do not rinse. Take it from the experts who say today’s dishwashers don’t need your help. Rinsing your dishes can use up to 20 gallons of water.
9. Businesses may apply for EPWater’s WaterWise Rebate Program. Rebates are applied to the cost of new water-saving equipment and processes that conserve water. Customers must meet criteria and demonstrate water savings potential. Click for more information and to fill out an application.
10. Add a water-saving aerator to your kitchen and bath fixtures. The devices reduce the amount of water coming out of your faucet and help control the stream of water. Aerators can save up to 25 gallons per day. Pick up a free standard-size bathroom faucet aerator – two per household – and a kitchen faucet aerator – one per household – at EPWater’s TecH₂O Learning Center. Call 915-621-2000 for center hours and information.

For more tips and tricks to reduce your water use, please visit our Conservation webpage. Do your part to save our water resources for future generations, and you will see the savings on your water bill accumulate.