North Texas Water Symposium

A symposium on water conservation strategies for agriculture and home gardeners will be held on October 1 at MPEC. I am hoping to get the agenda and registration information today and will pass it on when received. This is an important topic; I hope a lot of people show up.

We're Talking Water Today

Today is Blog Action Day for water. Since water is an issue I am already deeply involved in, I am happy to participate with thousands of other bloggers around the world to inform people on issues relating to this vital resource.

Is water a commodity or is it a fundamental right of every person, since without clean, accessible water, life is miserable and very short indeed? The League of Women Voters of Texas has a position on water and this year we are studying the impact of water as a commodity. Since the study is still in progress, I won't say anything more about it. However, the fact that the issue has to be studied at all should be a concern to all of us. The League of Women Voters of Wichita Falls also has a position on water that is specific to our area and has periodic programs on the subject. Watch for announcements if you want to attend--the meetings are always open to the public.

Since we treat food as a commodity, it should be no surprise that we treat water the same way. In other words, water is a product that is exchanged for money, unless you happen to have control over the resource and are the person selling it. The scarcity and cleanliness of water is a huge concern throughout the world. It has caused wars and will likely spur more conflict in the years to come as water resources are polluted and the limited resources subject to greater demand as population rises and our standard of living rises.

But as in many large, complex issues, most of us can have the biggest impact locally.

Here in Texas, where the population is rising very fast indeed and water resources are scarce, water is a subject every citizen needs to be informed about. The City of Wichita Falls has done a lot to ensure water sufficient clean water for the next 40+ years. They have been farsighted in their approach to building infrastructure (although there has been a lot of fussing from citizens about the water rates needed to pay the bonds for this infrastructure.) However, we can do more in terms of encouraging water conservation. There has been some debate about conservation as there is currently "plenty" of water and less water use means the rates for water have to be raised to pay for maintaining the supply capability. The City does have a water conservation tip sheet on line. The Red River Authority has a tip sheet available as well, although I couldn't find the information on line.

Sometimes you do the right thing because it is the right thing. And we should be developing habits and processes in preparation for the future, when we are certain our water supplies won't be sufficient. So what can each of us do about ensuring adequate supplies of clean water for the future?

• Be frugal in your water use at home. Fix leaks and as you replace fixtures and appliances, consider low water use items.
• Have less lawn and replace it with native, drought tolerant plants. For the grass areas, consider grasses that need less water and fewer chemicals. Water less often. Water at night or early morning.
• Consider rainwater harvesting for your landscape/gardening needs.
• Eat lower on the food chain more often. The higher up the foodchain you go, the more water there is involved in the production of the food. Need suggestions? The local Sierra Club chapter just finished a meat-less cookbook that will be on sale soon.
• Reduce your use of chemicals that pollute our water.
• Pay attention to water issues in your community. The Region B Water Planning Board is responsible for water planning in our area. Watch for notices of upcoming meetings and public hearings. Participate in the process.

Water should be a concern to all of us and little changes can make a difference.

New Draft Water Plan Available for Comment

The Region B Water Planning Group has released the draft 2010 water plan for public comment. When you open the plan, I suggest you do not print it, as it is 440 pages.

Public comments can be submitted on line or at the public hearing. The public hearing is April 13, 6:00 PM, at the Comanche Suites at the Clark Student Center on the Midwestern State University campus. Comments are due by June 18, 2010, according to the Red River Authority website.

During the last planning cycle in 2005, I was the only member of the public that spoke and mine was one of only 5 written comments received (one other member of the League of Women Voters, the Texas Water Development Board, Texas Parks and Wildlife and the National Wildlife Federation.) I have not yet finished reviewing the plan--it takes a awhile to read over 440 pages. However, once I do, I will be sharing my thoughts here, so visit back. If you can, please attend the public hearing, even if you don't intend to comment. It's a good place to get an overview, ask questions and hear what others think. Water is a precious resource and deserves our attention.

Science Saturdays at River Bend

River Bend has started Science Saturdays for children at River Bend. This is one of their best ideas yet! Last Saturday was rocks and this Saturday is water.

If you have kids, this would be a fun and educational program for them.

Way to go, River Bend!

Wonderful Adult Education Program at River Bend

River Bend Nature Center had an excellent adult education program last night. Fred Hall, our new county extension agent, was the presenter on personal water conservation. I wanted to share with you just a couple of tidbits I picked up:

• 30 - 50% of urban water use in Texas is used for irrigation of lawns and gardens
• People spread 67M lbs of pesticides on Texas lawns and currently 5 - 10% of water wells have detectable levels of pesticides in them
• 1 hour lawn mowing releases as many volatile organic compounds as driving 100 miles in your car
• Trees lower home energy bills by 25%

He also mentioned that corn meal gluten will help rid your lawn of crab grass and grass burs, although he recommends crab grass for grazing cattle--they apparently love it.

Anyway, a fascinating presentation. Be sure to attend the next program in the series. Daniel Nix from the City of Wichita Falls will be talking about city water planning on Feb 15, 7 - 9 PM at RBNC.

Water Programs at River Bend

I gave a water program a couple of weeks ago at River Bend. They have announced the remaining programs in the series. All programs are from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at River Bend Nature Center. The public is welcome. $3 for the general public; members get in free. For more information, call River Bend at 767-0843.

- Feb 1, Fred Hall, County Extension Agent, "Personal Water Conservation"
- Feb 15, Daniel Nix, Wichita Public Works, "City Water Planning"
- Mar 1, Paul Dowlearn, Wichita Valley Landscaping, "Xeriscaping"

Hope to see some of you there.

Program on Water

There will be a program about water at the monthly League of Women Voters of Wichita Falls meeting on December 2 at noon at Luby's Cafeteria.

The speaker is Larry Lambert. I have heard Larry speak many times. He does good research and I always enjoy his presentations. Larry will be talking about water as a scarce resource and some of the possible social and economic repercussions of scarce water resources on a global level.

The local League did a study on water resources in the area and developed an action position from that study. They are actively involved in water planning.

League meetings are open to the public. No RSVP is required. If you are interested in hearing this presentation, please go through the line (either in the front or the back buffet line) and be seated by noon, when the program starts.