Conservation conundrum

Kelli Rodda

If you read the March issue’s Behind the Scenes item (Page 66), I mentioned how the North Texas Municipal Water District had not lifted Stage 3 water restrictions despite ample rainfall totals. I supported this decision wholeheartedly. It was a smart change of pace from the district’s typical plan, which is to declare water restrictions after lake levels reach a critical shortage. But the group was being proactive and keeping overzealous homeowners and businesses from blowing through all the water as temperatures warm up in our area.

I was thinking about what I’d say in a congratulatory letter to the district, thanking them for protecting our precious resources. Just as I was singing the group’s praises, the district’s board of directors chose to relax the Stage 3 enhanced provisions of its drought contingency/water emergency response plan. In the board’s defense, there are still some requirements in place to cut back on water use.

City leaders or sheep?
But that action set the stage for the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) to lift all of its water restrictions. The TRWD serves 1.8 million people – about 98 percent of Tarrant County’s population. Now these folks can water to their heart’s content. The TRWD asked the public to practice voluntary conservation measures. While I’m sure there are a handful of sharp people who will conserve water, the majority will do dumb things like water during the heat of the day or run sprinklers when it’s raining. I shouldn’t paint with such a broad brush, but I see it everywhere I go in my home county. It’s discouraging.

The mayors of Fort Worth and Arlington could have adopted a resolution that allowed residents to water twice a week. But reservoir water capacity reports blinded their common sense and they chose to let the people turn on the spigots any time they wish.

At least one city didn’t let high lake levels cloud its judgment. Haltom City leaders adopted a resolution to allow residents to water twice a week. Sadly, it’s not a large city, nor one that the big fellas are going to emulate. And our neighbors to the east, Dallas, also made the right choice and restricted its residents to twice- a-week watering. (But Dallas is not part of the TRWD.)

Don’t confuse the issue
Water restrictions should not have been relaxed. Why is it necessary for all the back and forth? It’s not a matter of if we’ll experience another drought, but when. Every year our lake levels get dangerously low. It’s part of the crazy weather pattern in North Texas. Instead of continuing this ridiculous cycle of adopting and relaxing water conservation rules, keep them in place.

Besides summers that would make a camel feel right at home, the North Texas population is expected to more than double by 2060, according to the Star-Telegram. When left on their own, unfortunately most homeowners won’t make the right watering decisions. There are too many irresponsible or flippant people out there.

Water conservation is a relevant topic throughout the nation, not just in my backyard. As a member of the green industry, please make sure you’re implementing best management practices when it comes to irrigation. If homeowners and businesses in your community are water wasters, then city, county or state leaders may instead point the finger at horticulture and agriculture. Help educate city leaders and consumers about how to conserve water, yet still irrigate plants and lawns.

There’s a beneficial compromise out there, but let’s reach it before the lakes and reservoirs run dry.