Water is one of the natural resources that seems to always be available, especially in the Midwest. However, in 2012 residents of Omaha, Neb. and surrounding cities were advised to restrict their water usage. The allowable gallons per household were 89,000 and the amount consumed was 108,300.
The water in Omaha is drawn from both the Platte and Missouri Rivers. The reasoning behind the overuse was because of a hot and dry summer. Several residents watered their lawns constantly to ensure their lawn was up to par.
Nebraska, unlike California, is fortunate to not have to worry about conserving water very much. In areas of California, residents are fined nearly $500 for wasting water. This has caused many people of California to limit their use. Some residents go to the extremes of boiling their water for multiple uses, such as using the same water for dishes as they do for their shower.
We cannot change our ways unless we are educated on the impact that each person makes. MUD and UNO both work with the community to educate the public on the importance of water conservation.
Students of the environmental club called Green Basis help educate the students on campus as well as the community. Last year members of Green Basis worked with sixth graders at Benson West middle school to build rain gardens.
Tracey Christensen, Director of Communications at the Metropolitan Utilities District, mentioned how the people of Omaha helped with conserving water.
“Many of our customers participated in voluntary water restrictions, they watered their yards less and made an effort to consume less,” says Christensen.
The landscape at the University of Nebraska at Omaha was affected by this drought, according to Steven Rodie, Director of the Center for Urban Sustainability.
“There were plants on campus that have been here for years and died because of the drought,” says Rodie.
Since the drought there have been changes made on campus as well as Omaha in general. A bioretention garden has ensured the campus has plant life without consuming excess water.
“The biorention garden collects storm water runoff from the UNO welcome center and distributes the water into the soil, instead of running into the street,” says Rodie.
MUD along with Master Gardeners and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln extension program have worked together to create a water-conserving garden as well.
The garden is at Village Pointe Shopping Center in West Omaha. The garden features plants and flowers that consume less water. Shoppers at the mall are able to see what the plants are, in hopes that they will plant these plants and flowers and conserve water too.
Christensen and other members of MUD promote water conservation throughout the year with various events. Brochures and flyers on water conservation, visiting classrooms to educate students and events at Schramm park demonstrating how water goes from the river to the faucet are just a couple of ways MUD educates the public.
“We reach between 200 and 300 thousand people each year and educate them on water conservation and treating of water. We also provide an emergency water wagon at Werner Park every year for fireworks shows,” says Christensen.
Rodie ensures that the future of water conservation will continue on the campus of UNO. One of the projects that are currently in effect is the landscaping at the new community arena.
Rodie and Christensen do their part to not only educate people on water conservation but also continue to implement projects to continuously conserve water. With a little education and guidance from water conservation professionals, we can ensure a water-filled future.
How To Save Water, One Drip At A Time
- Check pipes and faucets for leaks – a small drip can waste 20 gallons a day.
- Put your wastes in the toilet, other wastes in the wastebasket – facial tissue and other trash can cause the toilet to waste between five to seven gallons of water.
- Insulate your pipes – By insulating your pipes your water gets hotter faster, and keeps you from wasting water until it gets to your desired temperature.
- Shorten your showers – A four-minute shower uses between 20-40 gallons of water. One way to conserve is to turn off the water while scrubbing up and turn back on to rinse off.
- Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge – Drinking water is best when cool. However, to get the right temperature you waste a lot of water.
- Update your clothing and dish washers– Even if you wait until you have a full load, washers consume a lot of water. High efficiency clothing and dishwashers use 35-50 percent less water than older models.
- Plug the sink when shaving– With the excess water, rinse your razor. It will save up to 300 gallons a month.
- Plug the bath immediately – If you plug the bath before turning on the water, you don’t waste water to get to the right temperature. As the water begins running, adjust to your desired temperature.
- Reuse your towels – You’re clean anyway. Use the same towel after showers to reduce the amount of washing.
- Select the right pan size when cooking – Larger pans than necessary causes a waste of water. A meal for two doesn’t always require the large pot.
Information taken from the Water Use It Wisely website at http://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/
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