We’re using too much water in Albuquerque/Bernalillo County. The ABQ/Bernalillo
County Water Utility Authority has a new graphic on their website
showing that year to date we’re 627 million gallons over our
conservation goal of 11.8 billion gallons.
According to the website, the goal is set at a level that would reduce
per-person usage to 165 gallons per day in 2008, versus 167 gallons per
day in 2007.
Katherine Yuhas, conservation officer with the authority, said that
since the conservation program started in 1995, water usage in
Albuquerque has steadily declined, from 251 gallons per capita to 167
in 2007. The long term goal is set at 147 gallons per capita by 2014.
The water authority’s website features a voluntary summer watering plan
as a primary way to reduce household water consumption. Apparently, 40
percent of our water usage happens in our yards. The watering plans
calls on water users to water their yards three times a week, for 15 to
20 minutes between 7 p.m. and 11 a.m.
The Independent asked Yuhas what other primary steps for water
conservation could be taken by households beyond the voluntary watering
schedule this summer. She said the first thing people should do is
convert to low-flow or high-efficiency toilets. And with the water
utility rebate, it's free.
“If you haven’t yet converted to low-flow or high-efficiency toilets,
that’s the first thing to do,” Yuhas said. “Plus, there’s a $125 rebate
for low-flow toilets, and $200 for high-efficiency toilets, which you
can purchase at Lowes for $149. So it pays for itself.”
The rebate goes on the water bill, and the transition saves at least
5,000 gallons per year, which is the average amount of water a
household uses in one month.
The next step, according to Yuhas, is to be a “good friend of the
earth,” by examining your landscaping. Is the grass in your yard
ornamental or do people use it to sit or play on?
Yuhas says, “If you have grass that no one sits on or plays on, you
should take (it) out. Think of it as a living surface, we really
shouldn’t have ornamental grass. If we could get everybody to get rid
of the grass that we just look at, we could keep all the grass at parks
and the zoo and back yards that we love to relax and play on.”
Then, everyone should check for leaks. Last winter was very cold and
there may be a lot of little cracks in your irrigation system. “Turn on
your irrigation system and see if water is coming out where there is no
spray head. Are you watering your sidewalk or fence? If so, you need to
repair your system,” Yuhas said.
Yuhas also said a general transition to low-flow water usage in the
house is important. And the Water Utility Authority tries to make it
easy. They’ll come out to your house and not only give you, but
install, a low-flow shower head that uses 1.5 gallons per minute;
aerators for your sinks that mix air with water, cutting down the water
flow by half; and they’ll give you a shut off nozzle for your hose.
With these minor adjustments, Yuhas said, you can do the same thing you
do everyday and it won’t change your lifestyle. Call 888-1722 to make
an appointment to transition your house to these items. It’ll only take
45 minutes and you’ll be doing the earth a favor.
