Texas is currently experiencing extreme drought conditions. Lake levels have depleted and local farmers are having difficulty in maintaining their livestock due to lack of rain. Water is necessary to nourish hay pastures. Many farmers are selling their animals because they cannot afford to purchase limited hay. Many individuals are trucking hay in from other states and charging inflated prices for it. For example a typical round bale of coastal hay costs around $45. Recently, I have seen hay being sold for nearly four times that amount. It is important for all of us to be responsible when it comes to water usage and conservation. Water is essential for our survival.
Fort Worth is currently in Stage 1 of its drought plan. This limits the days of the week that you may water and also the times of the day. According to the Tarrant Regional Water District, demands are down by 8.5%. That equates to about 340 million gallons every 10 days. The city has a website individuals may go on to report water waste.
Fort Worth is taking a proactive approach to conserving water. They have established a water conservation plan that educates and gives specifics to both businesses and individuals on water conservation. Some of the methods that they recommend and are trying to implement include:
- Retrofit existing fixtures with low-flow fixtures
- Perform a system water audit
- Water reuse
- Clothes washer incentive program
What surprises me is that Fort Worth does not recommend rainwater harvesting. Rainwater harvesting diverts, captures, and stores rainwater for later use. Harvested rainwater can be used on landscapes and provides water for wildlife. In a residential setting, it is estimated that 30 to 50 percent of the total water usage is used for landscape. Harvesting makes efficient use of a natural resource, lowers water bills, and reduces the demand of the water supply.
An easy way of capturing household rainwater involves diverting the rainwater down an existing gutter downspout and into a container. Rainwater costs nothing and does not require the use of chemicals and electricity that treated water does.
Resources: Texas A&M Rainwater Harvesting, Fort Worth Water Plan, Save Fort Worth Water, Save Tarrant County Water
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