Citizens asked to begin voluntary water conservation efforts

Oklahoma City citizens in Northwest Oklahoma City area are asked to begin voluntary water conservation efforts.  A water pump failed and could impact water pressure in the west area of the city during the next few days.  

“When temperatures reach triple digits, we tend to use a lot of water, especially on our yards,” Marsha Slaughter, director of Oklahoma City’s Utilities Department said.  “These best-watering steps will minimize water use and help ease low-pressure problems for fellow citizens.  

The longer we go without rain and the warmer temperatures get, the more demand for water we have.  Oklahoma City has a plentiful water supply, but it’s a good time to voluntarily conserve water and help our neighbors maintain adequate pressure.”

Citizens most likely to experience reduced water pressure are those who live at the far edges of the City.  As water is used along its way through the pipeline, the lower pressure will be for those near the end.       

The following  “best-watering” steps minimize water use and will help ease low-pressure problems:

• Water the lawn only when it needs it and in the early morning or late afternoon.  Watering in the middle of the day allows most of the water to evaporate.
  
• Make sure the sprinkler is aimed at the lawn not the street or sidewalk.  If you water when it’s windy, water will spray everywhere but on the grass.
  

These water-saving tips will further our voluntary conservation efforts.

• Use a broom instead of your hose to clean the driveway or sidewalk.
  
• Run the dishwasher or washing machine only for full loads.
  
• Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator.  Running the tap to cool water is wasteful.
  
• Reduce the use of the garbage disposal.  It requires a great deal of water for operation.
• Dispose of food scraps and peelings in the trash or compost bin.
  
• Fix leaky faucets.  Drops of two tablespoons a minute can waste 15 gallons of water a day, 105 gallons a week and 5,460 gallons a year.
  
•  Install flow restrictors or washer-less faucets.
  
• Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket.  A toilet uses five to seven gallons of water per flush.  Low-flow toilets use only about 1.5 gallons per flush.
  
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving and save about two gallons of water.
  
•  Decline the complimentary water in restaurants.  Every water glass used requires two glasses of water to wash and rinse it.

For more conservation information, log on to www.okc.gov.

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