Summer Water Usage and Conservation Tips

Recently the Houston area has been experiencing hotter and drier than normal weather conditions, which has resulted in an increased demand on our water system. Please know that Harris County MUD No. 500, as Master District (MUD 500), is aware of the lower water pressure in its Service Area within the Towne Lake community during peak times, such as 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. MUD 500’s operator, Environmental Development Partners, has been conducting an investigation for any possible system irregularities and is reviewing several options to help alleviate the loss of pressure. As a community there are some ways you can help reduce demand during those peak usage times by varying domestic usage:

  • • Landscape irrigation is the largest demand on our system. If you have an irrigation system, change your irrigation times to earlier hours in the morning such as between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., or move the time to 9:00 p.m. or later at night.
    • Over irrigating is the also one of the largest sources of overuse in our water supply. Want to know how long and how much to water? Check out https://www.watermyyard.org/#/Location
      There is a Cypress weather station monitored by Texas A&M AgriLife that provides watering recommendations.
  • Consider showering at night instead of in the early morning hours.
  • Run your dishwasher or washing machine during the day or just before going to bed at night.

You also can help do your part by ensuring you are using water wisely. In the Towne Lake Community, MUD 500 has partnered with the Towne Lake Community Association to allow the Association to use the water from the lakes to irrigate the medians and green spaces to minimize impact to our drinking water system. Among residents, a family’s water use can double or even triple during the warm summer months due to the impact of outdoor watering and irrigation, which can lead to significantly higher water bills. Here are some tips to help save water, and as a result, to help save you money.