Don't let water go down the drain

If you have school-age children, enlist their help and give them a head start on their next science-fair project. It's as simple as sticking a bucket under the shower head or sink faucet while you're waiting for the hot water to kick in. You might be surprised -- and appalled -- at how many gallons of water you waste every day.

At my house -- built in 2004 -- the kitchen sink water doesn't reach dishwashing-hot until we fill a 2-gallon stockpot. Until recently, those 2 gallons went down the drain. Now, they go into our parched patio plants.

"Rethink your habits," advises Karen Guz, conservation director for San Antonio Water System. "When you have the faucet running, ask yourself why."

Little things like letting the water run while washing dishes and vegetables can add up to gallons wasted or much-needed irrigation for thirsty plants.

So wash fresh vegetables in a bowl instead of running water over them. Dump the wash water into a bucket and use it to water your garden. Do the same with water left over from boiling pasta, eggs, potatoes and frozen foods.

Guz reminds us to let boiling water cool before dumping it on plants. And know that the aromas from shellfish water and other strong-smelling or oily cooking water may attract unwanted critters to your backyard. Oil slicks and other ingredients could affect your plants' health.

In the kitchen

Keep a container under the spigot at all times to collect hand-washing water and water that drips.

Don't use running water to thaw food. If you don't have a choice, thaw the food over a pan that will collect water.