Cold weather requires pipe protection, different approaches to water conservation

In El Paso, water conservation doesn't take the winter off. However, winter water management requires a different approach.

The winter water needs of our landscapes differ greatly from their summertime needs. Here's a list of ways to save water all winter long, from El Paso Water Utilities' water conservation experts.

• Don't water plants that don't need it. Many of the plants around El Paso are losing their leaves for the winter; warm season grasses are turning yellow. Once plants go dormant, they won't need water again until the spring.
• El Paso's even/odd watering schedule remains in effect year round. While residential watering is prohibited on Mondays, homes with even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
• Evergreen trees and shrubs still require regular watering, even during winter months. In cold weather, they can be watered once every two weeks.
• Don't forget to change automatic sprinkler times. Sprinkler systems can be a time saver, but they can also be a water waster. If you don't update their settings, they could be watering plants that don't need to be watered.
• Cooler weather is a good time to plant trees and shrubs. Make sure your new landscape is compatible with El Paso's climate. We've got a list of plants perfect for El Paso available by clicking here.

Broken pipes can waste thousands of gallons of water. Here are ways to prevent pipes from breaking in the cold, courtesy of the American Red Cross:

• Insulate exposed pipes and faucets outside and around your home, including those in unheated areas like the basement, garage, attic or crawl space. Follow manufacturer instructions closely.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Remove harmful chemicals from the reach of children and pets.
• In severe cold, let cold water drip from the faucets served by exposed pipes. Running a drip of water through the pipes helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water is above freezing. To conserve water, this measure should only be done when temperatures severely drop for an extended period of time.
• If pipes break inside your home, EPWU encourages you to immediately turn off your water at the meter to avoid further damage and avoid water waste. Watch the video on this page for step-by-step instructions explaining how to turn off your water at the meter.

Click here for a printer-friendly version of this list you can share with your friends or keep on your fridge. For more water conservation tips all winter long, follow EPWU on Twitter.