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For Immediate Release: September 8, 2006
Contact:
Gaylyn Chapman, Lubbock Water Utility
806-775-2596, gchapman@mail.ci.lubbock.tx.us
Mr. Carmon McCain, High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1
806-762-0181, info@hpwd.com
High Plains Residents Asked to Cut Water Use by 10 Percent
Lubbock Water Utilities, High Plains Underground Water Conservation District launch campaign to raise people’s “Water IQ” (LUBBOCK, Texas) — According to research, 44 percent of High Plains residents are unaware of the natural source of their water. The City of Lubbock and the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 plan to raise water awareness and help people save water through a new public education campaign called “Water IQ: Know your water.”
Research indicates that when people learn where their water comes from, they’re more likely to save and protect it.
“The goal of Water IQ is to help extend and protect the region’s water supplies, which have been diminished by the lack of rain and increased demand of water,” said State Senator Robert Duncan of Lubbock, District 28.
Water IQ is designed to make people aware of the source of their water, educate them about the importance of water for the region’s future, and offer simple tips to help them save water at their home and business.
“Water IQ: Know your water” Campaign
The City and High Plains Water District are challenging residents to use just 10 percent less water, and through the Water IQ campaign, they are prepared to show people how.
The Water IQ campaign kicked off with a news conference on Friday, Sept. 8, in front of Liz Smitten’s Lubbock home. Smitten is a Master Gardener who invited the media to see firsthand some of the high-tech and low-tech solutions any homeowner and business owner can employ to save water.
“You don’t have to be a Master Gardener like me to use less water,” said Smitten. “Using extra mulch around your plant beds, reducing turf areas, hand watering, and checking for leaks are simple things everyone can do. In fact, watering too much can be one of the most harmful things for your lawn.”
During the news conference, the City and High Plains Water District also premiered their new TV public service campaign, which began airing September 8. The campaign’s humorous 15-second spots feature characters almost any Texan can relate to. In one spot, a balding, middle-aged man is standing before his bathroom mirror, trying to perfect his well-rehearsed comb-over as the announcer says, “Let’s not kid ourselves. His hairline isn’t the only thing receding in West Texas — our natural water supply’s way down. Use just 10 percent less water, and we can make it last.”
The Water IQ public education campaign also utilizes radio, print and gas pump advertising, and an experiential marketing outreach tour. In September and October, the Water IQ tour will visit gardening centers and community events, teaching people how they can save water around their home and business.
The Source of Water for the High Plains
The Texas High Plains region has two primary water sources – Lake Meredith and the Ogallala Aquifer. Lake Meredith is located north of Amarillo, while the Ogallala is a groundwater supply stretching through portions of eight states.
Due to drought conditions and high water consumption, Lake Meredith is currently 30 feet below normal. Water from the reservoir, along with groundwater from the Ogallala Aquifer in Bailey and Roberts Counties, supplies the water needs of the region. However, the Ogallala is not recharging or replenishing at the rate the groundwater is being pumped.
“The Water IQ campaign is just one part of the total water conservation equation,” said High Plains Water District General Manager Jim Conkwright. “It is important for the public to know where their water comes from and how they can save it for future use. This public awareness effort can help area residents implement conservation tips to extend the life of the region’s surface water and groundwater supplies.”
Bringing additional water supplies to the region will be costly. For example, the City of Lubbock would need to build a pipeline, pumping stations and a new water treatment plant to bring water from Lake Alan Henry to Lubbock – a 62-mile distance. An engineering study is currently underway to determine costs. The costs are estimated to be in the millions.
Stage 1 Watering Restrictions
Lubbock entered into Stage 1 mandatory watering restrictions on July 31, which allows people to water zones a total of 1.5 inches a week on any two days. Landscape irrigation may occur only between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. through September 30.
Winter irrigation may occur only when temperatures are above 35°F so as to not cause a freezing hazard and should provide a maximum of 1 inch per zone per month for dormant grasses (i.e., Bermuda) and 1 inch per zone every two weeks for cool season grasses (i.e., Fescue).
About Lubbock Water Utilities
The first municipal water works in the City of Lubbock was constructed in 1911. A bond issue to finance the water system was $25,000. The water works consisted of a well about 206 feet in depth equipped with an air-lift pump, and a small concrete ground storage reservoir. The equipment was situated at 5th Street and Ave J. The site was purchased for $157.50 on August 8, 1911.
Lubbock Water Utilities currently treats and distributes an average of 30 million gallons of water each day in the winter and 65 million gallons of water each day in the summer to over 200,000 customers. Our goal is to provide the best water and sewer service possible with the resources available. This involves furnishing high quality products and services coupled with an overall emphasis on positive customer relations
About High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1
Created by area residents and the state legislature in September 1951, the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 is the first underground water conservation district organized in Texas. The High Plains Water District was created to conserve, preserve, protect, and prevent the waste of underground water within its 15-county service area.
The High Plains Water District consists of all of Bailey, Cochran, Hale, Lubbock, Lynn, and Parmer Counties, as well as part of Armstrong, Castro, Crosby, Deaf Smith, Floyd, Hockley, Lamb, Potter, and Randall Counties. An area of 10,728 square miles is served by the Water District.
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