| Dresdenn, state urge water conservation |
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Posted: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 3:37 pm
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Faced with record temperatures and deficit rainfall totals, the City of Dresden, along with Tennessee, are urging residents to be mindful of excessive water use.
The State of Tennessee is consistently recognized across the country as one of the leading states in meeting drinking water quality standards.
The state is now faced with a challenge in how to best manage through the troubling drought conditions at hand. In light of current conditions and a bleak long range forecast that suggests abnormally dry conditions to persist for quite some time, the State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is asking public utility systems to implement voluntary water conservation measures.
While current drought conditions in the state do not yet constitute an emergency situation, the Department of Environment and Conservation advises that it is best to plan ahead for the point at which any mandatory measures are necessary.
Just cutting back on typical warm weather activities such as watering lawns and plants, filling swimming pools and washing cars can make a difference.
Voluntary efforts exercised at this stage of the threat may prevent the need to mandate water-conservation practices in the near future.
Listed below are some simple things the State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation website states Tennesseans can do to conserve water:
• Avoid washing your car at home with a hose – seek out waterless car washes or commercial car wash systems that recycle water.
• Take shorter showers.
• Fix all leaky plumbing fixtures, including outdoor hoses.
• Install sink faucets with aerators, motion sensors, or automatic shut-offs.
• Install low-flow shower heads.
• Run washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads.
• Install low-flush toilets, or put a one-liter water bottle in the toilet tank.
• Buy appliances with water conservation features.
• Avoid watering lawns. If you do, water lawns and gardens sparingly in the morning or evening to prevent excessive evaporation.
• Landscape with native plants, shrubs and trees – they are adapted to periods of drought and may require less water than non-native ornamentals.
• Minimize use of kitchen sink garbage disposal units.
• Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants.
• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
For more information about water conservation, contact Dresden City Hall at 364-2270 or the Department of Environment and Conservation at 615-532-0191 or http://www.tn.gov/environment/water.shtml.
WCP 7.17.12
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