An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : News
JBSA News
NEWS | Nov. 20, 2006

Water conservation important at home, on base

Although two-thirds of the Earth's surface is water, less than one-half of 1 percent of that water is currently available for human use, according to the Federal Energy Management Program.

As the U.S. population increases, so does water use and the need to conserve water. In San Antonio and its surrounding areas, water has become a valuable commodity due to the growing population.

In an effort to help conserve water from the Edwards Aquifer, Lackland has conscientiously been involved in the reduction of water pumped from the aquifer by initiating water conservation projects throughout base and utilizing effective water management technologies.

Water conservation efforts, such as water-efficient landscaping, waterless urinals, low-flow water fixtures, adhering to the Water Management Plan year round and purchasing recycled water for irrigation and cooling, has contributed to Lackland Water Conservation Program.

Recycled water to the Wilford Hall Medical Center cooling tower, Lackland parade field and the Gateway golf course has resulted in more than 122 million gallons, or 12 percent, of water saved this year.

With the summer shortage of rain in the San Antonio area and over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, water pumpage from the aquifer became a hot topic. As a federal installation, Lackland complies fully with any imposed drought restrictions and cooperates with the State of Texas and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure compliance with all regulations.

Water conservation is the most cost-effective and environmentally sound way to reduce our demand for water. This stretches our supplies farther and protects and preserves the endangered species in the Edwards Aquifer.

The following are some simple water conservation tips that everyone in the Lackland community can do to help preserve our precious water supply:

* Verify that your facility is leak-free. If you have a leaky faucet or pipe, report it to the Facility Manager for correction. A faucet dripping at the rate of one drop per second can waste 2,700 gallons of water per year.

* Avoid unnecessary toilet flushes. Dispose of tissues, insects and other such items in a trash receptacle rather than in the toilet.

* Take shorter showers.

* Turn off the water while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth while waiting for the water to get hot for face washing or shaving.

* Try to wash full loads when doing laundry and properly set the water level for the size of the load.

* Store drinking water in a refrigerator rather than letting the tap water run to get a cool drink of water.

* Report if toilet handle sticks in the flush position.

* Don't run the hose while washing your car. Use a bucket of water and a quick hose rinse at the end.

* Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher.

* Don't water the sidewalks, driveway or gutter. Adjust your sprinklers so that water lands on your lawn or garden where it belongs.

* Notify the facility manager of any damage or faulty water fixtures.

If you have any comments, questions or water-saving suggestions, call the base energy manager, Andy Hinojosa, at 671-0252.