Bell County Water Control and
Improvement District #1 has entered stage 1 of its drought contingency plan.
The City of Killeen, which receives its water from the district, is asking
residents to voluntarily conserve.
The city offers the following tips to reduce daily water usage:
- Repair leaky faucets, fixtures, and pipes
- Turn water off while washing dishes, brushing teeth,
or shaving
- Use garbage disposal sparingly, compost vegetable
scraps and yard waste instead
- 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
- Keep a container of water in the refrigerator instead
of running water until it is cold
- 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, reduce shower time or
install a cutoff valve
- Wash only full loads of laundry when possible, or use
the lowest water level setting for light or partial loads
- Use cold water for laundry as often as possible to
save energy
- Use sprinklers that produce large drops of water
instead of mist
- Set sprinkler systems to water 1 inch every 5 days
- 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 and only turn
on hose for rinsing
- Do not water driveways, streets or sidewalks
