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By Tamara Neely
Staff Reporter
Conserving water has become an important issue for the Town of Okotoks, and a goal set in 2002 for residents to conserve water will be the focus of an education program.
In 2002 the Town of Okotoks’ Water Management Plan set the target of reducing water consumption to 318 litres (70 gallons) per person per day. Current usage is 354 litres (94 gallons) per person per day.
Dave Robertson, operations manager for the Town, said the importance of reaching that goal is growing.
“We have to look at water like a precious resource,” said Robertson.
“The reality is that we’ll be targeting to get down to that over the next two to three years.”
The Town plans to send representatives door-to-door to educate people about the importance of conserving water and methods to do so.
“We’re doubling the effort of water conservation and education,” said Robertson. “The message we want to get out is there are ways of doing this (reducing consumption).
“I’m not sure if people know how important it is.”
Robertson said that water consumption doubles in the summer due to watering lawns and gardens and he pointed out that last summer three months passed without rain.
“If we hit an extreme drought, and… had to save all the water for people to drink you’d forget your lawns, forget your trees. There are tons of cities around the world that are in that state,” Robertson explained. “The water supply we have to sustain the Town of Okotoks is definitely a finite supply. It has to be managed or there will be severe consequences.”
According to the Town’s website, Okotoks’ per capita water use is down 30 per cent since 2000 and is 36 per cent lower than Calgary’s per capita water consumption.
In addition to conserving water, lowering water usage equates to lowering greenhouse gas emissions because it takes energy to pump water. So less water pumped means less energy used.
The 30 per cent reduction since 2000 has equated to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 530,000 kg.
The Town has developed methods residents can use to reduce water consumption in their homes, for example, don’t let water run down the drain while brushing teeth and shaving; wash laundry once a full load is accumulated; collect water in a rain barrel for yard and garden use; plant native grasses, shrubs and trees since they thrive on natural rain and snowfall. For more tips go to www.okotoks.ca
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