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Show Page 6 DIXIE SUN Friday, May 18, lift, Voices t It's Time to Watch Water Consumption Prea. Douglas Alder Guest Writer We have had a few cool weeks, even moist ones. It is deceiving. All indications are that we are headed for a hot summer with severe water Quail Creek shortage. r i r j reservoir will be no help this year. Our snowpack is only 50 percent of normal. We are headed into danger. It is time to start serious water conservation now. Teenagers who like to drain the water tank for half an hour in the shower, and car wash buffs who let the hose run while they scrub down their vehicles, and gardeners who let their irrigation water overrun their field, and lawn waterers who forget the hose sprinkler and let it run all night in other words, all of us who have become accustomed to plenty, must educate ourselves to immediate conservation. So here are a few practical suggestions we can all institute right now: o Put a plastic gallon jug filled with water in each toilet tank. That will allow the tank to fill with less water. Every flush of a normal toilet consumes about seven gallons of water; this plastic bottle will cut that amount by 17 without hurting its ability to function. Many toilets leak. Hundreds of gallons of water can be wasted. Often, just bending the arm of the plunger ball will cause the water to turn off below the o overflow pipe. o Showers are another source of big waste. Showers can use more water than bathtubs if one lets the water run. One idea is to put a plastic wastebasket in the shower to capture the cold water that we normally let run run until the warm water comes. That water can then be used in watering house plants or in gardens. Another idea is to get oneself wet, then turn the water off while one soaps and scrubs and then turn the water back on for a quick rinse. In this manner, a shower can be very water efficient. o To further save water in the most wasteful room (the bathroom) one should not let the water run in the basin while brushing teeth. Turn it off and brush briskly. Then turn it on briefly to rinse. o In the kitchen there are lots of possible savings: don't let the water while run scrubbing vegetables or peeling potatoes. the in water Keep refridgerator to get it cold instead of letting it run in the tap until its gets cold. Be sure the dishwasher if full before turning it on. It takes 12 gallons per run whether it is washing one dish or many. The same goes for clothes washing machines. o Some diligent people buy devices to put in shower heads, sink taps and hose nozzles. The reduced-flofixtures are available at hardware stores and are not water-savin- g w expensive. o Really diligent people capture sink water in the kitchen and use it for watering plants either inside the house or outside. o In the kitchen and laundry, one should watch for leaks also. Drips and leaks can really mount up. changing a washer is a simple trick and usually does not require a plumber. o Outside the house there are also key places to save. Wash cars with a bucket of water instead of using the hose. Rinse the car off with a quick spray, but do not let the hose run during a car wash. Sweep walks and driveways instead of using hose water. Since hoses usually use culinary water, it is especially important to conserve. o Watering lawns and gardens can be done with great efficiency. Twice a week is usually sufficient for lawns. That allows them to sink their roots deep so they can withstand droughts. Watering at night is wise so evaporation from the heat is reduced. Be especially careful to not forget and allow sprinklers to run longer than is necessary. Half an hour is generally enough, 20 minutes. perhaps Hundreds of gallons can go through a garden hose in a few hours so be very strict with We Vx are monitoring 0l watering system so we can s down on water consumptig If you see us wasting wafa give us a call. This week I wonderful musical saw at Cc tj Cotton Mill, by Mark Ogd, and Sue Cox, entitled "Cottn Tales." It reminded me of the terrible times th ( pioneers had with watt scarcity here in the valley; the Virgin River. We are still living in fragile place. We do ration our water as well m aa m should. I have been people in Israel susta: timei fiopulations many in Washingti toi; County on the same amounts water. They recycle the wate garden watering. Several We have not done much of th towns in California have here yet, but we can learn. This summer is goin already prohibited watering lawns and gardens this year. to be our learning time, o Be vigilant with are told by city officials we an observing water wasting in going to have some serioui public places. If you see energy brownouts (as a ne broken sprinklers gushing line is installed). We are al: water out in a park, school going to have serious wate grounds or college campus, shortages while Quail Cree call someone and report it. At Dam is being built. It shoul: Dixie College we have be a good experience installed a new irrigation learning. Since we know itii system so we do not use coming, let's get a head star! culinary water to water lawns. before the taps run dry. i Attention: All graduating Sophomores may pickup Buy One Footlong Sandwich Buy One Footlong Sandwich At Regular Price And Get A Second Footlong Sandwich Of At Regular Price And Get A Second Footlong Sandwich Of Comparable Value For Comparable Value only $.99 Absolutely FREE Does Not Apply To Super Subs. Limit One Sandwich Per Coupon. Offer expires June 15, i99t) Does Not Apply To Super Subs. FOUR LOCATIONS: 765 E. 700 S., St. George 514 N. Bluff, St. George 524 W. State, Hurricane 667 S. Main, Cedar City 628-400- 7 628-547- 7 635-95- 54 586-433- 8 Limit One Sandwich Per Coupon. Offer expires June 1 5, 1 990 , FOUR LOC ATIONS: 765 E. 700 S., St. George 7 514 N. Bluff, St. George 7 524 W. State, Hurricane 667 S. Main, Cedar City 8 628-400- 628-547- I 635-95- 586-433- 54 their announcements in the Counseling Center. The first five are free, eacl additional announcement is $.50 each. The DIXIE SUN Staff Editor in Chief: Mindy Schimbeck Advertising Manager: Rod Jones Staff 'Writers: James Curtis, Michelle Ricklesimer, Adriana Rogers, Dawn Freeland, & Tina Rucker Advisor: Edwin Rogers The Dixie Sun-22- South 700 Kami St. George, Utah 34770 The opinion expreseed SUN dooxnot in the the of reflect the viewpoint sarily sox. The SUN staff reserves the ri ght to edit the etaff to the Editor, letters be Letters must ox not to a can names However print signed. circumstances. Subtn withheld tounder special Ed Rogers in the SU B, by securityletters - v1 p r K L |