Visit saws.org for a list of low-water-use plants, gardening tips, and other low-maintenance landscaping advice.

Did you know that San Antonio gained more than 32,000 new residents last year? If you're one of those people, we're very happy to have you and hope you're enjoying your new life here in the Alamo city.

Although we're experiencing one of the most unrelenting droughts in our history, San Antonians are quite enthusiastic about conserving water. Whether you're a newcomer or a South Texas native, we'd like to share a few water-saving tips to help you, your home and your landscape weather the extended dry spell like a veteran.

A low water bill starts with a leak-free home. Make sure all water is turned off, then stroll out to your water meter and observe the small triangle on the face of the meter. If it's making complete turns – even at a snail's pace – then you may have a leak. Check all indoor and outdoor faucets, toilets, any other water-using appliances, and your sprinkler system to find the source of the leak. Even a toilet leak can waste several hundred gallons of water every month, and sprinkler systems can expend several thousand gallons every time they run.

If you're unfamiliar with native plants and soils, I have one word for you: xeriscape. Most of the soils in this region consist of heavy clay or limestone rock and are almost exclusively alkaline. However, there is a wealth of beautiful plants that thrive here. You can familiarize yourself with them by browsing our local nurseries and landscapes.

If all this still puzzles you, give us a call at 704-SAVE (7283) to set up an appointment with one of our consultants. They'll inspect your home and sprinkler for leaks and offer valuable landscape advice to get you on the right track.

Erin Conant is a technical field investigator for San Antonio Water System.