Outdoors

Water Meter

Check for hidden water leakage such as a leak between the water meter and the house. To check, turn off all indoor and outdoor faucets and water using appliances. The water meter should be read at 10 to 20 minute intervals. If the meter continues to turn, a leak probably exists.

Irrigation Systems

Leaks in irrigation systems will not always show on meters due to separate anti siphon shut off valves. To find leaks, walk your irrigation lines and check for unusual wet spots, leaky, broken or missing sprinkler heads.

Pools

Water evaporation from pools is expected, but if you are routinely adding more than two inches of water to a pool per week, you may have a leak. Place a bucket of water next to the pool and mark the water lines in both the bucket and pool. Wait 24 hours and check the loss of both. If the pool lost more water than the bucket, then there is a leak.

Common causes of leaks could be deteriorated sealants. Ensure all fittings, valves, pumps and filters are working properly and not leaking or dripping. Turn the pump off and look closely for spraying water.

Look for sinkholes at the bottom of above ground pools where sand may have washed away. Check vinyl liners for small tears and pinholes that could be leaking.

Lawns

Do not over-water your lawn. Soil can absorb only so much moisture and the rest simply runs off. One and one-half inches of water applied once a week in the summer will keep most Texas grasses alive and healthy.

Water lawns early in the morning in the hot summer months. Otherwise, much of the water used on the lawn can simply evaporate between the sprinkler and the grass. To avoid excessive evaporation, use a sprinkler that produces large drops of water rather than a fine mist. Sprinklers that send droplets out on a low angle also help control evaporation. To further limit water loss due to evaporation, avoid watering on windy days.

Plants

Use drought resistant plants. Choose plants that have low water requirements, are drought tolerant, and are adapted to the West Texas climate.