Water A Resource Worth Saving

Introduction

Safe drinking water is a resource that is often taken for granted. It is so abundant and inexpensive that we fill our glasses without a second thought about how the water got to our taps. Each person uses approximately 168 gallons per day, with each gallon costing less than 1/16th of a cent. We don't realize that our water runs so clear only because we enjoy one of the best water treatment systems in the world, and we don't realize that water is a a resource that must be protected.

7 Things You Should Know About Drinking Water

The following are seven questions everyone should be able to answer about their public drinking water supply. How many can you answer?

1. What is the source of your drinking water?
   
   • A: Ground water is the most common, followed by surface water.
2. Will you know if there is ever any problem with your drinking supply?
   • A: Federal law requires public water suppliers to notify you if there is a problem with your drinking water.
3. Is tap water safer than bottled water?
   
   • A: EPA Administrator, Carol Browner, said for her family she puts her trust in tap water.
4. What goes in your drinking water?
   
   • A: Chlorine is most commonly used to purify drinking water.
5. Am I getting my money's worth?
   
   • A: Next to air; safe, healthy drinking water is the greatest bargain around.
6. Is your drinking water supply protected?
   
   • A: Excuse the cliche, but a drinking water protection plan is, "An ounce of prevention" that helps communities avoid "a pound of cure."
7. Even though we're on a meter, sometimes I don't understand my water bill.
   
   • A: Because of the difficulty of locating some meter boxes in the snow, residential water meters are not read during winter months. Also, the warmer air inside a meter box combined with the insulation factor of the snow covering the box prevents freezing, so it is best left alone. During this time, in addition to the monthly service charge, a minimum charge for 800 gallons of water will appear on you utility bill.
     
     Depending on the weather, meters are usually read from March through Novemeber. After the first reading in the Spring, the utility bill is adjusted based on actual consumption since the last reading in the Fall. For example, during a 4-month period you might be billed for 32,000 gallons at the rate of 8,000 per month, but if your household has used 40,000 gallons by the time the meter is read 8,000 gallons will be added to the "spring pickup bill". If only 24,000 gallons have been used, a credit of 8,000 gallons will be issued.

Fertilizing Lawns Affects Water Supply

Chemicals used on lawns can be a source of pollution through runoff water. It is very possible that environmental laws will place restraints on the domestic use of insecticides in the near future.

This is a point in factor of switching from bluegrass to new improved turf-type FESCUE or other low maintenance grass. Bonsai tall dwarf FESCUE is much more effective than Kentucky bluegrass and also requires 1/3 less fertilization.

Fall fertilizing should be divided into 1/4 the yearly total about mid-September and 1/2 in October. This is the lawns major food supply. One fourth the yearly total applied in May acts as a stimulant and is optional.

Using manure or compost rather than a commercial fertilizer help avoid sometimes unneccesary additions of both herbicides and pesticides, which kills worms and other beneficial organisms. Qualified personnel can prescribe the right fertilizer for your lawn.