Pipeline collapse: How local residents can help conserve water

While the Washington County Water Conservancy District seeks
to repair a pipeline collapse in the district’s main line, a request for local
residents to help conserve water remains in force.

Delivery of water to the district’s municipal partners will
continue due to storage in reservoirs, but the pipeline collapse will prevent
the district from collecting water to replenish the reservoirs until needed
repairs are made.

While most water is consumed by agriculture and for
municipal and industrial uses, there are still things local citizens can do to
conserve water:

• • It is winter, there is no need to
  water lawns or gardens right now.

  • If doing winter gardening or
  landscaping choose water wise plants, use less turf or xeriscape and use water
  efficient, timed, drip irrigation.

  • Make sure to run full loads of
  laundry and adjust your washer to the right load size.

  • Do not using running hot water to
  defrost food, stick it in the microwave.

  • Showers use less water than
  baths, so if you have the choice, shower.

  • Dishwashers actually use less
  water than hand washing, so make sure the dishwasher is full and use it if you
  have one.

  • Scrape food into the trash rather
  than rinsing dishes off in the sink.

  • Check for and repair any water
  leaks on faucets, showerheads, toilets and pipes.

  • If you have a swimming pool, use
  a cover to reduce evaporation.

  • Store drinking water in the
  refrigerator to keep it cool rather than letting the faucet run until the water
  gets cold.

  • Don’t leave water running.

“Anything else you’re interested in is not going to happen
if you can’t breathe the air and drink the water. Don’t sit this one out. Do
something. You are by accident of fate alive at an absolutely critical moment
in the history of our planet.” – Carl Sagan

Written by Greta Hyland

Cami Cox contributed to this article