AWWA samples Western utilities drought
plans
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DENVER -- Water utilities in cities throughout the drought-stricken
American west are implementing and enforcing tough and costly
spring and summer water conservation measures, according to
a sampling of drought response plans conducted by the American
Water Works Association (AWWA).
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The study found that citizens are faced with tough and costly
spring and summer water conservation measures all designed
to save millions of gallons of water.
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While historically water utilities have promoted water conservation
in a variety of ways, the new policies and restrictions are
attempting to persuade citizens to change their water use
behavior.
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According to AWWA's sampling, water utilities are enforcing
strict water restrictions and charging steep water use surcharges
as well as fines against those who blatantly waste water.
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Many have enacted grass, garden and tree planting moratoriums.
Some are enforcing lawn watering and car washing bans,
while others have leveled prohibitions on hotel laundry.
In other cities, restaurants' are forbidden to automatically
serve diners a glass of water with their meal.
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The drought has left much of the American west high and dry
and citizens, who used to take what seemed like an unlimited
water supply for granted, are now being forced to rethink
how they use and conserve water.
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Established in 1881, AWWA is the oldest and largest nonprofit
scientific and educational organization dedicated to safe
drinking water in North America. AWWA has over 56,000 members
worldwide and its more than 4,600 utility members serve
80 percent of America's population.
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For more information on drought statistics throughout the
country and comprehensive information on water conservation,
go to http://www.awwa.org.
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The American west is faced with one of the worst droughts
in the last 108 years. According to the National Weather
Service, increased precipitation by late winter (February
and March) may not have arrived in time to make a significant
dent in these conditions.
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In 2002, Colorado measured its driest calendar in 108 years
and is now entering it's fifth summer of extreme drought conditions.
In addition to scarce water, the state is again faced with
the possibility of the devastating forest fires experienced
last year. Nebraska, Wyoming, and Nevada also recorded their
third driest year.
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Although recent rain and snow have improved drought conditions
in parts of the West, this winter's precipitation totals have
done little to ease the drought, as snow pack has been
below normal in every western state and reservoirs have reached
record lows in those locations.
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"These necessary water restrictions are a critical reminder
that water is one of our most important and valued natural
resources," said Jack Hoffbuhr, Executive Director
of AWWA. "No longer can citizens expect lush lawns and
cheap access to an unlimited supply of water. The message
utilities are sending to their customers is use water
more efficiently, conserve where you can and approach
your day-to-day water use with a clearer understanding of
the water-shortage created by the drought."
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AWWA's sampling of various community water utilities throughout
the west identified several common drought restrictions.
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o Throughout the west, higher rates in the form of conservation
surcharges are being used as incentives for citizens to conserve
water.
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o Most utilities are involved in massive public education
campaigns to teach consumers basic water conservation tips
for around the home. Next month, 11 Colorado Front Range
utilities will roll out a $600,000 joint advertising
campaign to remind customers there's still a drought and they
must do their part to ease it. Simple steps, such as
repairing leaky faucets, turning off the water during tooth
brushing or shaving and other common sense measures collectively
make a big difference. Utility websites have been updated
with water conservation tips and water bill inserts
to remind water customers about conservation tips and new
restrictions.
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o Most communities have implemented strict lawn watering
schedules and, in some cases, have completely banned lawn
watering. Many have restricted home car washing or passed
prohibitions on using the hose to clean driveways, sidewalks
and decks. Other communities have put a ban on filling swimming
pools or spas.
o Some cities will not allow restaurants to offer water to
diners unless specifically asked, while some are restricting
hotels from laundering bed sheets of guests that stay more
than one night.
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o Others are offering rebates to consumers who purchase water
efficient appliances such as washing machines, low flow
toilets and water saving dishwashers. Denver Water is handing
out buckets to capture run-off shower water and timers
to encourage shorter showers.
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o Some cities have been forced to close or limit the usage
of recreation fields due to lack of water while other cities
are updating to state-of-the art, computer controlled
sprinkler systems to efficiently water parks and ball fields
with minimum amounts of water.
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o Most utilities have beefed up water patrols by cruising
neighborhoods and monitoring meters. Water wasting scofflaws
who violate drought restrictions might pay fines from
$50 - $1,000 with funds going to water conservation programs
or forest fire prevention programs.
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o As an alternative to lush, water-thirsty Kentucky bluegrass
lawns, most utilities are encouraging homeowners to
create beautiful xeriscape gardens with drought-tolerant
plants and foliage.
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THE AMERICAN WEST TACKLES THE DROUGHT
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Below are specific examples of how several western cities
are managing water conservation during the worst drought in
108 years. For more information and research materials related
to the science of drought as well as conservation tips and
water usage statistics, please go to http://www.awwa.org.
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Aurora, Colorado
In Aurora, Colorado the city's reservoir system is at 26 percent
of capacity. Once snowmelt begins and water returns to the
reservoirs, Aurora's system is expected to fill to just
50 percent of capacity.
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No new lawn permits have been issued since Aug. 30, 2002
and new lawns will not be allowed (sod and seed) in
2003. Planting of trees and shrubs is prohibited but the planting
of xeriscape plants, vegetables and flowers is allowed.
Lawn watering is limited to two days per week, for a maximum
of one hour per watering day but is prohibited from 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m.
Water customers are encouraged to hand water trees and
shrubs but the hose must have a spray nozzle or deep-root
watering mechanism attached. This type of watering must
be monitored so that waste does not occur.
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Privately owned residential pools may not be filled. Restaurants
are required to serve water only upon request. Hotels
and motels are required to display water conservation materials
provided by the City of Aurora that give patrons the
choice of having linens changed less frequently.
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Those violating water restrictions net initial warnings,
with charges of $100, $250 and $500 for subsequent violations.
The Aurora City Council might increase the fines later
this month.
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The Aurora Utilities Department is selling 1,000 personal
water meters to customers that are available at a discounted
rate of $7.50. The meters normally cost twice that and
are not widely available in retail stores.
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Cheyenne, Wyoming
In Cheyenne, Wyoming, water storage levels dipped nearly 50
percent from last year.
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In addition to a drought surcharge, the Cheyenne Board of
Public Utilities imposed a 17-point water use restriction
plan for this summer which hopes to reduce water consumption
by 25 percent to 35 percent.
The restrictions would limit lawn and turf watering to just
two days a week and only for a maximum of two hours
on those days. Watering would be banned between 10 a.m. and
6 p.m. each day.
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The restriction also put a total ban on lawn watering from
October through April. The plan implements a strict prohibition
on washing hard surfaces, such as sidewalks, driveways,
and parking lots. Violators would receive a warning for
first time offenses, a $300 fine on a second, and a $500 fine
on third or future violations. Restaurants will only serve
water if asked, and lodging establishments will offer
guests the option of not changing linen or towels if
they are staying more than one night.
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Denver, Colorado
The Mile High City is high and dry. Denver Water's water storage
reservoirs are just above 40 percent full, half the normal
average at this time of year. Despite one of the state's worst
snowstorms on record in late March, for the sixth year
in a row, Colorado's snowpack - a key predictor of new
drinking water supplies - failed to reach average levels by
April 1, registering only 94 percent. About 80 percent of
Colorado's annual water supply is derived from snowpack runoff.
The runoff helps cities determine how much new water they
are likely to collect every year. It will also help determine
how much, if any, outside watering to allow this summer.
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Denver Water adopted additional temporary charges to encourage
customers to use less water during the spring and summer
months of the drought. For residential customers, surcharges
will kick in after the customer uses more than 18,000 gallons
in two months. The initial surcharge will be 80 cents per
1,000 gallons, rising to $11.85 per 1,000 gallons for customers
who use more than 61,000 gallons of water in two months.
Large commercial users and industrial customers would face
similar surcharges.
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In addition to water surcharges, the following restrictions
were enacted this past Wednesday April 16, 2003:
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Lawn watering is permitted on two assigned days per-week
for 15 minutes for each irrigation zone (or sprinkler
head placement) up to a limit of eight zones.
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Watering on Monday is prohibited and there will be no watering
between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
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New seed and sod may be watered only on watering days for
15 minutes per zone and trees and shrubs may be watered by
with a hand-held hose with a shut-off valve or low-volume
non-spray irrigation on assigned watering days but not
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
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Fountains, waterfalls and ponds may not be operated if water
is sprayed or shoots into the air.
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Personal vehicles may be washed at the owner's home on the
designated watering day only with a bucket or a hose
equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle but not between
the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and not on Mondays.
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Washing driveways and sidewalks is prohibited except for
health or safety
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According to Denver Water, the average household uses 32,000
gallons every two months in summer. By following watering
restrictions this summer, that household should be able to
cut its use to 22,000 gallons every two months. If so, the
house will exceed the 18,000 limit by 4,000 gallons, but its
overall bill will drop.
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The plan aims to reduce water consumption by 30 percent.
The surcharges will remain in effect until reservoirs reach
at least 80 percent capacity.
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El Paso, Texas
In El Paso, new water restrictions allow outdoor watering
for only two hours, one day a week, before 9 a.m. and after
7 p.m. Watering days are determined by the last number of
the street address.
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Upon a second violation of the Drought and Water Emergency
Management Response Plan, the General Manager may order
the installation of a restriction device or downsizing of
the water meter at the customer's cost.
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Outdoor watering with a permanent drip irrigation system,
sub-surface irrigation or reclaimed water is exempt.
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Routine fire hydrant flushing and testing shall be curtailed.
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No new landscaping may be installed or planted. Using a bucket
to water trees, shrubs and flowers is permitted.
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Existing swimming pools cannot be drained and refilled after
April 1st. Single-family residential swimming pools
must be covered when not in use. Additionally, pools
can be topped off to replace water loss by evaporation.
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Las Vegas, Nevada
In Las Vegas, Nevada, Lake Mead is fed by the Colorado River,
the source of southern Nevada's drinking water. The lake has
dropped 60 feet in the past two years, to its lowest
level since 1972. And last year, for the first time,
Las Vegas exceeded its 300,000-acre-feet allotment from the
Colorado River, years before water officials expected that
to happen. The valley will likely have to tap into groundwater
reserves before the end of the year.
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As a result, the water utility has put the City under a "drought
watch" in which homeowners and resorts are assigned specific
days when they are allowed to use water. Front yards of new
homes won't be able to have grass in a drought alert. In order
to meet new watering restrictions next year, many Las Vegas
golf courses will have to either take out some of their
turf or let the grass turn brown.
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Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln's University of Nebraska National Drought Mitigation
Center offers the nation measures to help reduce societal
impact of drought. Nebraska lost $1.2 billion last year
in drought-related damages alone and almost one-in-five community
water supplies are down to one well.
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As farmers in Nebraska worry about another drought, they
are expected to receive approximately $260 million from a
$3.1 billion federal aid package passed by Congress this February.
Farmers who can afford the latest in irrigation technology
will find up to 90-95% of irrigation water to be used for
biomass production.
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Phoenix, Arizona
Despite recent rain and snow that will delay the fire
season by a month, the drought season has hit Arizona hard.
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The city of Phoenix expects to save over 166 million gallons
of water during this season by several innovative solutions.
The Parks and Recreation Department delayed planting
and purposefully "under-seeded" golf-course fairways
this past winter in anticipation of water restrictions.
City officials have ordered the shutting off of fountains
and misting systems and have begun to install more efficient
plumbing fixtures. Additionally, city officials are urging
residents to step up efforts to find and repair leaks and
start using only drought-tolerant plants when replacing
shrubs and trees.
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San Diego, California
San Diego has turned seaward to fight annual drought problems
and has begun the development, along with 12 other planned
California communities, of a seawater desalination plant
to battle the yearly droughts.
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Short-term requests of residents include washing vehicles
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· a hand-held hose with positive shut-off nozzle and
bucket
· water saved from indoor use
· a commercial car wash that recycles its wash water
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Residents living on a canyon or near an open space are asked
to plant fire-resistant shrubbery, which typically require
very little water. They may also direct the water drain
line from evaporative air conditioners to a flowerbed, tree
base or lawn.
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Santa Fe, New Mexico
In Santa Fe New Mexico, residents face even stricter surcharges:
$15 per 1000 gallons for usage above 10,000 gallons per month,
$25 per 1000 gallons for usage above 20,000 gallons
per month and commercial businesses face a $2 per 1000
gallons surcharge on all usage.
Salt Lake City, Utah
In Salt Lake City, if you spray, you pay. Residents who do
not conserve could face up to $30 more a month in water fees
than their neighbors. As Utah heads into the fifth year
of a drought, administrators have proposed a six-tiered drought
response plan to ease the burdens on the city's resources.
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As the city moves into the xeriscape trend from its traditions
of green landscaping, residents of the nation's second
most arid state are learning to adapt to changes in
weather patterns and city law.
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