By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Its been a long dry spell in northeastern New Mexico and as a result of the lack of moisture and the lack of snow melt to fill reservoirs, Raton residents are being asked to conserve that all precious water.
According to Dan Campbell levels have remained fairly constant but a continued lack of rain or snow could force Raton into mandatory water restrictions. Water managers will continue to watch the weather and will begin making plans based on how much rain or snow the area receives over the next two months.
Raton Water Works passes along these tips to help conserve water.
WATER CONSERVATION TIPS
12 TIPS TO REDUCE OUTDOOR WATER USE:
- AVOID WATERING PAVEMENT AND SIDEWALKS
- DON’T WATER IN THE WIND
- AVOID DAYTIME WATERING
- DRIP IRRIGATE FLOWERS & SHRUBS
- MULCH AROUND SHRUBS & TREES
- DON’T PLANT GRASS ON STEEP SLOPES
- DON’T PLANT GRASS IN NARROW AREAS
- INSTALL A SHUT-OFF NOZZLE ON YOUR HOSE
- XERISCAPE
- HAND WATER DRY SPOTS
- PLANT LESS “THIRSTY” NATIVE GRASSES
- USE A BROOM FOR CLEANING SIDEWALKS & DRIVEWAYS INSTEAD OF A WATER HOSE
Other water savings tips
- XERISCAPING IS NOT “ZERO” SCAPING. GENUINE XERISCAPES ARE LUSH AND BEAUTIFUL WITH WATER-EFFICIENT, NATIVE PLANTS THAT REQUIRE LESS IRRIGATION AND MAINTENANCE THAN LAWN DOMINATED LANDSCAPES.
- RAINWATER HARVESTING IS THE ART OF DIVERTING OR CAPTURING PRECIPITATION. RAIN BARRELS, PONDS, CONTOURING, AND TERRACING ARE TYPES OF HARVESTING USED IN RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPES.
- SOAKER OR DRIP HOSES FOR FLOWERS, SHRUBS, AND GARDENS CAN REDUCE WATER USE ESPECIALLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE APPLICATION OF MULCH.
- LANDSCAPING CAN ACCOUNT FOR OVER ONE HALF OF A HOUSEHOLD’S ANNUAL WATER USE.
- REMEMBER THAT TINY LEAKS WASTE THOUSANDS OF GALLONS
- 1 DROP PER SECOND = 192 GALLONS PER MONTH
- 1/32 INCH HOLE = 6300 GALLONS PER MONTH @ 60 PSI
- MINOR TOILET LEAKS CAN WASTE OVER 3000 GALLONS PER MONTH
- 5 MINUTES SHORTER PER SHOWER SAVES AT LEAST 25 GALLONS
- TURN OFF YOUR FAUCET WHILE BRUSHING YOUR TEETH AND SAVE 6 GALLONS
- WASH ONLY FULL LAUNDRY LOADS SINCE EACH LOAD CAN USE UP TO 35 GALLONS
- WASH ONLY FULL LOADS IN YOUR DISHWASHER SINCE EACH LOAD CAN USE UP TO 15 GALLONS
- LOW FLOW SHOWERS CAN SAVE UP TO 5 GALLONS PER MINUTE
- LOW FLOW TOILETS CAN SAVE UP TO 3 GALLONS PER FLUSH
NEW MEXICO IS IN A SERIOUS DROUGHT SO USE THIS PRECIOUS RESOURCE WISELY.
FREE WATER CONSERVATION LITERATURE IS AVAILABLE AT CITY HALL.
