The North Texas Municipal Water District has asked residents to reduce water use after one of its water treatment plants needed “critical maintenance.”

The wholesale water supplier, which provides water to about 2 million people in multiple counties including residents in Collin, Dallas, Kaufman, Rockwall, said drought conditions in North Texas and increase in water use has “stressed” its purification and distribution processes.

Here are some steps that residents can take to conserve water while North Texas experiences high temperatures and drought conditions, according to the North Texas Municipal Water District.

Outdoors

1. Water lawns before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. to minimize evaporation.

2. Run your sprinklers in short cycles and wait 30-45 minutes in between to allow your grass to absorb water and reduce runoff.

3. Regularly check irrigation heads on your sprinkler system to make sure they are not wasting water on streets, walkways and driveways.

4. Raise the mower blade height during summer and avoid cutting more than one-third of the leaf blade at one time to conserve water and reduce plant stress.

5. Check outside spigots, pipes and hoses for leaks.

6. Plant native and adapted plants to reduce the amount of water your landscape requires.

7. Residents can also go to WaterMyYard.org for recommendations related to lawn care.

Indoors

1. Install low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets.

2. Wash dishes in the dishwasher rather than by hand. Only run the dishwasher when it’s full.

3. Invest in an energy-efficient washing machine, adjust the water level to your load size and run only with a full load.

4. Install a shower timer, shorten the length of your shower, and only use water to rinse off hair and body.

5. Turn off the water while you shave, and rinse your razor in a plugged sink rather than under a running faucet.

6. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth and washing your face or hands.