Water Conservation Plan & Progress
5-Year Water Conservation Plan
Houston Public Works’ Water Conservation Plan serves as a reporting requirement and as our roadmap for the next 5 years.
Houston’s Water Conservation Plan is crucial for ensuring the city’s long-term water sustainability, particularly in the face of growing population demands and extreme weather challenges. By promoting efficient water use, the plan helps preserve local water sources, reduce strain on infrastructure, and lower overall costs for residents. It also plays a key role in protecting ecosystems, enhancing resilience against drought, and securing a reliable water future for generations to come.
The purpose of the Water Conservation Plan is to ensure water use efficiency through a strategic combination of approaches aimed at:
- Reducing water loss or waste.
- Minimizing consumption by developing programs for our residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale customers in maximizing water efficiency for both indoor and outdoor usage.
- Educating the community on water conservation practices.
Water Conservation Plan Annual Report
The Water Conservation Plan Annual Report provides a yearly update on the implementation and effectiveness of the conservation strategies outlined in the Five-Year Plan. This report is submitted to the Texas Water Development Board each year by May 1.
Progress To Date
Since 2010, Houstonians and Houston Public Works have significantly reduced per-person water consumption, achieving a nearly 35% reduction from 196 GPCD in 2010 to 129 GPCD in 2023. This remarkable progress can be attributed to Houstonians and Houston Public Works' dedication to conservation through several major initiatives:
- Updated Plumbing Codes: Adopted updated building and plumbing codes requiring the installation of high-efficiency fixtures and appliances, significantly reducing water use in new construction and renovations.
- Public Awareness Campaigns like Give Water a Break emphasizes simple yet effective ways to conserve water in daily life.
- Infrastructure Improvements:
- Dedicated leak detection crews to test water mains
- Installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
- Updating of the advanced hydraulic water model
- Continuous prioritization and replacement of aging water lines
- Drought Awareness: Periodic drought conditions as Houstonians experienced in 2011 and 2022 heighten awareness of water scarcity, driving individual conservation efforts.
