Show Your Ingenuity – Save Water Now for Use in August

By James Kiracofe

July 14, 2010
Letter to the Editor:

SHOW YOUR INGENUITY- SAVE WATER NOW FOR USE IN AUGUST

The recent heat wave serves as a reminder of the importance of conserving water.  Just like the electric utility reminding electric users to adjust their thermostats to reduce peak energy demand, everyone should conserve water.  Prolonged dry spells sometimes force the water utilities to restrict the watering of lawns and gardens.  

There are several ways individuals and businesses can conserve water – such as shorter showers, full loads of laundry, and watering lawns and gardens in the early morning.  Another way to conserve water is to store water using cisterns and containers such as rain barrels.  Collecting water during rain events and storing it for later use can reduce a homeowner’s water bill and help the environment in several ways.  Peak water demand for gardeners to produce a bountiful harvest is during July and August.   It is during this same time that lawns need regular watering to remain green and lush.  By collecting and storing water during rainy periods, homeowners can continue watering their gardens and lawns without purchasing water from a municipality or utility company.  
Another environmental benefit of cisterns and rain barrels is the reduced amount of storm water runoff flowing down stream.  Less runoff reduces flooding and the amount of pollutants that are washed into our streams and rivers.  
Rain gardens are another conservation practice homeowners can use to conserve water.   A rain gardens is a small, shallow, man-made basin that collects and stores storm water.  Planting deep-rooted, native plants that thrive under wet or dry conditions in the basin will allow more water to infiltrate into the ground, recharging our underground aquifers.  These native plants bloom during the growing season, attracting butterflies, dragon flies and a variety of backyard birds, and create a very attractive, low-maintenance landscape.
For more information on water conservation and rain gardens or to learn how to make your own rain barrel, please visit the Licking County Soil & Water Conservation District’s web site at www.lickingswcd.com or call the office at 740-670-5330.
James R. Kiracofe
District Program Administrator
Licking County Soil & Water Conservation District

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Jim Kiracofe, 740-670-5330.

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