Water Conservation
Stormwater Prevention
Lake Waco Wetlands
FOG Program (Fats, Oils & Grease)
Adopt-a-School
Care and Share
Who is Precious?
Water is vital to our future and the growth of Waco. Water conservation is the right thing to
do! Get involved in local water management issues. Waco leaders have planned for our future by ensuring that we have a reliable source of water with the raising of Lake Waco and other endeavors. What we do with it is up to us!
- Be aware of, and follow all water conservation and water shortage rules in effect in your community. Don't assume even if you get your water from a private well that you need not observe good water use rules. Every drop count!.
- Encourage your employer to promote water conservation in the workplace. Suggest that water conservation be put in employee orientation and training programs.
- Patronize businesses, which practice and promote water conservation, such as restaurants that only serve water upon request. Report all significant water losses (broken pipes, open hydrants, errant sprinklers, abandoned free-flowing wells, etc.) to the property owner, local authorities or your water management district.
- Encourage your school system and local government to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults. Support projects that will lead to an increased use of reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and other uses.
- Encourage your friends and neighbors to be part of a water-conscious community. Promote water conservation in community newsletters, on bulletin boards and by example. Encourage your friends, neighbors and co-workers to "do their part."
Try to do one thing each day that will result in saving water.
Don't worry if the savings are minimal!
Every drop counts. You can make a difference!For more conservation tips, click here.
When it rains, it pours - motor oil, fertilizer, pet wastes, and other pollutants end up in the storm water runoff that goes down the storm drains. Unlike the wastewater that comes from our homes, storm water runoff does not receive treatment before it enters larger waterways. That's why it's important to dispose of oil properly and to use garden chemicals in accordance with their labels.
The Storm Water section of Environmental Services is responsible for administering the City's storm water permit with the Environmental Protection Agency. (The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is expected to take on permit oversight from the EPA in the near future). This permit details the steps the City will take to help prevent and mitigate the impact non-point source pollutants have on our receiving waters.
For more information on storm water activities within the City of Waco, as well as ways in which you can help, please call Anthony Betters in Environmental Services at (254) 750-8006.
The vision of Waco's future is how the Lake Waco Wetlands came to be. In 2000, the Waco City Council voted to increase the level of Lake Waco by seven feet providing an additional 20,000 acre-feet of water. This decision would guarantee Waco citizens and surrounding communities to have sufficient water rights and drinking water for decades to come.
The Lake Waco Wetlands was created to mitigate habitat loss when Lake Waco was raised by those seven feet. With the addition of the Research and Education Center, it has grown to become even more, as an important living laboratory for research, education and recreation. Click here for more information.
Fats, Oils & Grease Program (FOG)
Help us stop fats, oils and grease from entering our sanitary sewer system! The City of Waco's Water Utility Services Department has developed a Fats, Oils and Grease Program and a city ordinance that adopts the TCEQ's (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) model standards. The goal of the program is to teach people how to maintain good cleaning practices in homes and businesses while lowering maintenance costs on our sanitary sewer system. We want to keep our pipes and sewers clean!
Click here for more information on FOG!
Adopt-a-School (Dean Highlands Elementary)
Water Utility Services has adopted Dean Highland Elementary as its Adopt-a-School. We love to participate in activities the kids have throughout the school year! We also give them contests to participate in that teach them about water quality and conservation.
Drinking, bathing, cooking...
Water is something many people take for granted. But every day, Waco families risk losing their water and sewer services because they temporarily cannot afford to pay their water utility bill. Every month, over 500 people have their water disconnected for non-payment.
The Water Utilities Department has a program called Care and Share to help customers with temporary financial problems and crises. It is a partnership with the City of Waco and Caritas that aids those in need due to unemployment, illness or other emergencies. It is funded solely from your generous donations. It doesn’t have to be a lot; even the smallest contribution makes a difference!
If you wish to donate, please call 299-CITY (2489) for more information, or print the Charitable Contribution Form fill it out and return it to us with your next regular payment.
Thank you! Donations can be mailed to:
City of Waco
Care and Share
P.O. Box 2570
Waco, Texas 76702-2570Who's big and blue and full of life? Precious, the City's Water Drop Mascot! Precious is a happy soul whose mission is to remind everyone how vital water is to our lives and how important it is that we take good care of it. Why, did you know that as many as 10 gallons of water are wasted when you let the faucet run while you brush your teeth? That's a lot!
When you see Precious, remember that "water is our most Precious resource" and that it's everyone's responsibility to use it wisely. Precious loves people and is available for community events. For more information, please call Karen Gafford at (254) 299-CITY (2489) or email at kareng@ci.waco.tx.us.
