GUEST COLUMN
(Editor’s Note: The following editorial was printed in the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post last week, and seemed applicable to the Buda-Kyle area.)
By this time during an average year, the Fredericksburg area has accumulated a little more than six inches in rain.
But at this point in 2011, the total through mid-April has amounted to only about half that amount.
And sadly, judging from “models” frequently cited by Central Texas weather forecasters, the outlook– at least in the short term – does not look all that promising.
So, rather than wait until Gillespie County’s drinking water reservoirs and underground aquifers subside to near-drought levels, perhaps now might be a good time to take a look at cutting down on daily water use.
For those willing to make a comitment in this direction, the Texas Water Development Board has a few suggestions…
Indoor Tips In the bathroom:
• Instead of a bath, take a shower with a water-efficient showerhead, making sure to get in right away after the water becomes warm enough and then taking only short showers. Also, wash hands using only as much water as is really neeeded.
• Replace old toilets with high-efficiency models that save as much as four gallons per flush. In addition, while leaks can crop up anywhere around the house, they are frequently found in toilets because hard water can ruin rubber parts over time.
In the kitchen:
• Only run the dishwasher with a full load, thereby saving not only water but also energy, detergent and money. Dry scrape dishes instead of rinsing and let the dishwasher take care of the rest.
• Install faucet aerators to cut sink water consumption in half.
• Instead of wasting water by running the tap until cool, drinking water will be much more refreshng if kept in a refrigerator container.
In the laundry room:
• Wash only full loads. However, if a partial load is needed, match the load setting with the amount of laundry to be washed. If clothes are not heavily soiled, use a short wash cycle.
Outdoor Tips
• Don’t over-water the lawn. One inch of water per week in the summer will keep most Texas grasses healthy. Also, don’t scalp lawns when mowing during hot weather; taller grasses (three inches high) hold moisture better. Don’t cut more than one-third of grass length at one time, and leave clippings on the lawn instead of bagging.
• Don’t abuse the benefits of an automatic sprinkler system by over-watering. Set it to provide thorough but infrequent watering and never water on windy days. Use drip irrigation for bedded plants, trees or shrubs and use low-angle sprinklers for lawns. As for plants that need more water, use a hose or watering can.
• Use lots of mulch around shrubs and trees to retain moisture, reduce run-off, moderate soil temperature and help with weed control. To avoid over-fertilizing, get a soil kit to determine what nutrients are needed. Applying fertilizer only in the spring and fall will produce healthy grass that uses less water and needs mowing less frequently.
• Finally, instead of wasting water to clean patios, driveways or sidewalks, use a broom or blower. If washing the car at home, use a bucket of soapy water and a hose nozzle that shuts off water during scrubbing.
By themselves, many of these suggestions may only seem like the proverbial “drop in the bucket” when it comes to saving water. But taken together, little drops can add up enough to keep our water supply flowing – no matter how hot or dry the weather may become.
