Three million gallon water storage tank on Fort Huachuca
Fort Huachuca's water supply is pumped from deep underground wells that draw
water from the regional aquifer. This aquifer provides a
reliable supply of water for all those living in the Upper San Pedro
Watershed. The fort has many outstanding installation level water
and energy conservation projects that are integral to mission
support. These projects have resulted in substantial successes in water and
energy conservation. Although the fort's population has remained
relatively stable over the last fifteen years, water use has been reduced
by over fifty percent. However, the current federal mandate to
balance the amount of water removed from the regional aquifer with the
amount that is recharged by the year 2011 is still a challenging goal.
Everyone who lives or works on Fort Huachuca can play a meaningful part in
water and energy conservation efforts by modifying normal daily
activities. Small individual efforts can and will make a large
collective difference in water and energy savings on the fort.
Water Conservation Tips
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Fix
leaky faucets, showerheads and pipes throughout your home. A leak of one drop of water per second wastes more than
3,000 gallons of water per year.
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Teach your children to
turn faucets off tightly after each use.
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| Don't
let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving.
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| Replace
standard showerheads and faucets with low flow showerheads and faucet
aerators. You should be able
to read 2.0 gallons per minute or less printed on the side of your shower
fixture and faucet aerator. If
the numbers are higher, replace them with low flow fixtures from the Self
Help store or the local hardware store.
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| Take
showers instead of baths; limit showers to five minutes. When bathing, don’t fill the tub more than half full.
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| Make
sure your toilet flapper doesn't stick open after flushing.
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Drop
your used facial tissue and dead bugs in the trash instead of flushing
them down the toilet.
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| Run full loads in the
dishwasher and washing machine. When
doing laundry, if you can’t make a full load, match the water level to
the size of the load.
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| When washing dishes by
hand, don't let the water run in between rinses.
Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you
scrape them clean.
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| Use the garbage
disposal less often. Scrape
leftover food from plates into the trash can instead of rinsing them off.
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| Keep a pitcher of
water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks, so
that every drop goes into YOU, not the drain.
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| Don't use running
water to thaw food.
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Select low water use
plants for landscaping. Plant
after the summer rainy season begins or during the fall when the weather
is cooler and watering requirements are lower. To get the most from your watering time, group
your plants according to their water needs.
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| Use
mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and weeds.
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| Water plants deeply
(in the root zone) but less frequently to create healthier and stronger
landscapes. More plants die
from over-watering than from under-watering.
Water plants only when necessary.
If you live off post, choose a water-efficient drip irrigation
system for your trees, shrubs, flowers and garden.
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| Weed your lawn and
garden regularly. Weeds
compete with other plants for nutrients, light, and water.
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| Most Family Housing
areas are planted with common Bermuda grass which is heat tolerant and
requires less water than other turf grasses. In the late fall, winter, and early spring, Bermuda
grass is a straw color, is dormant (not actively growing), and will not
require watering. When the
summer rains begin, Bermuda grass will turn green again. Adjust your watering schedule to the season.
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| Follow the post
Installation Irrigation Policy when watering. Check and/or move your sprinkler system frequently and
adjust sprinklers so that only your lawn is being watered, and not the
house, sidewalk, or street. When
hand watering, always use a shut off nozzle.
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| Adjust your lawn mower
to a higher setting. Longer grass will reduce water loss to evaporation.
No more than 1/3 of the total height of the grass should be mowed
at any one mowing.
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| While fertilizers
promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer
needed. Most drought tolerant plants do not require added
fertilizers.
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| Sweep patios and
driveways with a broom – don’t use a hose to flush debris off the
cement.
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| Don't forget to check
outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks.
Keep your eyes open for other water leaks in your neighborhood.
Report water losses from broken pipes, open hydrants, etc. to the
Directorate of Public Works Service Order Desk at 533-2003.
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| Collect and use rain
water for watering your garden or houseplants.
Rainwater contains atmospheric nitrogen which is a free fertilizer for your
plants. Rainwater does not contain the salts and minerals that are in tap water
that can leave a residue on the surface of the soil in potted plants.
Direct downspouts or gutters toward shrubs or trees.
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| Use a commercial car
wash that recycles water. When
washing your vehicle at home, use a bucket of soapy water and a hose with
a spray nozzle. Turn off the
water while you soap up your vehicle and then do a quick rinse with the hose.
Wash vehicles only when necessary.
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| Encourage your friends
and neighbors to be part of a water-conscious community.
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When leaving your home or office, set
temperatures lower during the winter and higher during the summer. Adjust the thermostat to your comfort level on your return.
If you have a programmable thermostat, set the timer for the
greatest energy efficiency.
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Close blinds or drapes over the windows
on the south and west sides of the building during the summer to keep heat
out and open them in the winter to let heat in.
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Check for poorly fitted windows and
doors. Use caulk or weather
stripping to keep heat out or in depending on the season.
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When purchasing appliances, select the
most energy efficient models. Also
select the smallest model that will meet your needs.
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Use energy saving compact fluorescent
bulbs. They use 75% less
energy and last ten times longer than incandescent bulbs.
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When washing clothes, use the
appropriate water level, cold water if possible, and be sure to run full
loads.
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When using the dishwasher, make sure
you are taking advantage of the energy saving settings and be sure to run
full loads.
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When drying clothes, run full loads and
be sure to keep the lint filter clean.
Dry clothes on an outside line where possible.
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Keep the water heater temperature set
on low.
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| Use task or natural
lighting rather than
overhead lighting whenever possible.
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Turn off lights, televisions, computers,
stereos and other electronic equipment when not in use.
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Act as an energy saving model for your
children. They learn quickly
and will follow your example.
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