Nodler: Stay Smart with Water Usage

Water is one of our most basic necessities, and this is increasingly evident as temperatures rise. There have been concerns in the past about long-term water quality and supply in our area. Water conservation is an effort that every member of the community can contribute to, and it can make a significant difference in water supply throughout our area.

For southwest Missouri, the Ozark Aquifer serves as the water supply source for cities, rural water districts, agriculture, and industry, as well as for communities in southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma. Concerns rose as water supply wells in some areas of the aquifer began experiencing declining water levels. In an effort to address water supply and quality issues, the U.S. Geological Survey initiated a multi-year study in August 2005. In a report issued in 2009, researchers found that water levels have declined as much as 400 to 500 feet in some parts of the Ozark Aquifer since 1960. The information acquired through the report is helping water managers make decisions about the long-term viability of ground water as a source of water supply for the area.

As large-scale work relating to the water supply continues, small adjustments in households throughout the area can also positively affect water supply. Here are some suggestions from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources on how you can conserve water:

• Use dishwashers only when they are full. Washing dishes by hand saves about 25 gallons.
• Turn off faucets while brushing teeth. This saves about 5 gallons per day.
• Use sink and tub stoppers to avoid wasting water.
• Keep a bottle of chilled water in the refrigerator for drinking.
• Find and fix leaks in toilets, faucets and appliances that use water.
• Adapt plumbing with flow-restricting or other water-saving devices.
• Learn to read your water meter to judge how much water you use.
• Take shorter showers and shallower baths. This saves about 25 gallons.
• Water your lawn before 10:00 a.m. to prevent evaporation, which occurs during the hottest part of the day.
• Water only when your lawn shows signs of wilt.
• Do not let the sprinkler run any longer than necessary. In an hour, 600 gallons can be wasted.
• Use pistol-grip nozzles on hoses to avoid waste when watering flowers and shrubs.
• Aerate lawns by punching holes 6 inches apart. This allows water to reach roots rather than run off surfaces.
• Know how to turn off an automatic sprinkler system in case of rain.

Even when an area is not in a drought, water conservation is a cost-effective way to help the environmental heath of the community. Saving water can also save you money on your monthly water bill. As the hot weather continues to hamper southwest Missouri, I encourage you to stay safe in the extreme heat and use water wisely.