Texas is in a major drought right now. Austin lakes are suffering from the severe heat we are having this summer. It is ridiculous when you can't even go outside in the late evening or morning without starting to sweat. According to a Huffington Post article, Texas has endured the driest 7-month span on record. So, what are we doing to address this imposing drought?
Almost every year Texas has to issue burn bans in a majority of it's cites. The drought has been so bad this year that fire departments weren't even allowed to do fire works except in a few cities along the coast. Texas needs to do more to ensure the burn bans are keeping people from starting fires. I think public safety officials should even go as far as ticketing people that are smoking near grass or playing with lighters. I don't think people realize how easy it is to start a fire with just a little heat in a drought like this.
In addition to burn bans, Austin has issued a water conservation period. This is important because without conservation of water we might not be able to put out wildfires and for many other reasons. In most residential areas there are only 1-2 days a week when you are allowed to water lawns and in some areas there are restrictions for the times you are allowed to water. According to YNN, “The extreme temperatures plaguing Central Texas have prompted the City of Austin to activate Phase One of its heat emergency plan.” This plan monitors “at-risk” people for heat related illnesses. Even ERCOT has gone into their Level One Energy Emergency Alert. They are urging residents and businesses to limit their water usage between 3p.m and 7p.m every day. These plans are good, but are we doing enough?
I think Austin is doing a decent job of monitoring “at-risk” people, but what are they doing to attend to the ever-decreasing water levels? Currently Austin Water is offering incentives for Austin residents and apartment complexes. I think this is a great step towards conserving our water. I am planning to take Austin up on its offer to replace up to three toilets in my house (that was built before 1995) with new water conserving toilets. It's a win-win. If at least 20% of Austinites take advantage of these water conserving incentives Austin might be able to slow-down the effects of the drought.
I would also like to see the local government enforcing their threats to fine people that aren't helping to conserve water. For instance, restaurants are supposed to only give customers water if they request it, but I know for a fact that not all restaurants are following that rule. I understand that it is usually protocol to serve patrons water when they sit down and to constantly keep the cup filled, but it's ridiculous to waste that much water when a customer probably won't finish it.
The extreme drought that we are having is a very important issue that city governments should be addressing. Praying for rain obviously isn't helping, so let's go cities; step up your efforts to conserve water!
This intense heat wave Texas is experiencing is insane. It’s just too dang hot outside. Bottom line is that we are desperately in need of rain. With this drought in Texas, things aren’t lookin’ too good.
ReplyDeleteYou mention that more needs to be done about the decreasing water level like fining people who aren’t helping to conserve water. I agree. Even though there are limits on watering grass, it isn’t required everywhere. In my neighborhood it is only voluntary. Limitations on watering your grass should be required, or else it could lead to wasting our water. With this intense heat, it comes to a point where no matter how much you water, it’s not going to make a huge difference. This heat just dries everything out. Therefore over-watering your grass could be very wasteful and required limitations are necessary. I am in agreement with you that more needs to be done to ensure water conservation.
Because I think that watering your lawn is pretty wasteful in general, as a long-term approach it could be very beneficial to start transforming our front lawns from grass to rock (I only mention the front lawn because people may still need grass in their backyard for pets). Even though it’s not as aesthetically pleasing to the eye, it could save a huge amount of water. Rock lawns are very popular in Arizona because of the dry land, and could very well be something that we need to follow suit in.
These droughts are continuing to get worse and worse year-by-year. More long-term and short-term approaches need to be taken to conserve our water. Maybe with the upcoming hurricane season there is a glimmer of hope for rain. I can only pray!
I agree with everything you posted. I think the local government as you stated truly needs to work on fining people who aren't following water conservation matters and others who are using bad practices. As I was jogging yesterday I passed one house who was watering their lawn in the heat of the day. Another lawn had a busted sprinkler head so instead of lightly spraying the lawn it was gushing water all over the place, clearly wasting it. If somebody could step in and fine them I'd sure that would be incentive enough to move their watering time towards the evening or morning when it would be much more affective for the lawn and repair any broken sprinkler heads.
ReplyDeleteI am also glad that the government is monitoring people that are deemed to be at high risk for danger due to the heat. This is a good step, but I think ourselves as a community should pride ourselves on occasionally checking up on our elderly neighbors and such to make sure they're doing ok. Also I think the state could step in when it comes to football. Two a day football practices out in this heat are no joke, and some football coaches definitely don't know when to call it quits or when to give the players a break. More education on this matter for coaches and the community would result in less heat related deaths of these players.
I think it's cool how you said you're taking up the city's offer to get new low-flow toilets. I think that's a great idea and if enough people do it, it would definitely help to conserve water. I know a principle that my parents practice in their house during times like this is kind of gross to some, but "if it's yellow let it mellow". That also helps to conserve water in a sense.
Perry's official praying for water hasn't been answered yet, so until then we do definitely need to make more of a conscious effort to conserve our water. Every little bit helps, even if it means your car may not be shiny for a few more weeks, it is important for the community.
Thank you for your comments! Very good input! This is unrelated, but if you are a Gen Y (born between 1975-1995) you should check out this FREE event! Here is the facebook link to the event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=248170238535188
ReplyDeleteCome check it out and invite all your "Gen Y" friends!!!