Published Monday, March 08, 2010 1:35 PM

Texas can save water with new toilets, other steps

Associated Press

DALLAS -- Environmental groups say there's a simple way to conserve water in Texas: Get a new toilet.

That's among the recommendations Monday in a report evaluating water conservation in 19 cities around the state.

The report from the National Wildlife Federation and the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club says replacing toilets manufactured before 1992 could save about 12,000 gallons a year per household. Older toilets use from 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush, but newer high-efficiency toilets only use 1.28 gallons per flush.

The report also recommended changing utility pricing structure to reward conservation; restricting outdoor watering; offering local rebate programs for replacing fixtures and appliances; and more public education.

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On the Web: http://www.texaswatermatters.org/pdfs/DropByDrop.pdf

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