JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Water conservation is already important to most members of the San Antonio community, but it is especially important to consider during Energy Awareness Month in October.
Water conservation at Joint Base San Antonio falls under the energy program, which is designed to comply with federally mandated water use goals while maintaining our important missions.
Water reduction goals are specified by Executive Orders 13423 and 13514, which requires federal installations to reduce water use intensity (gallons per square foot) by 2 percent every year for 13 years. Thus, the Air Force will reduce water use intensity by a total of 26 percent by 2020, using a baseline water use from 2007.
Water conservation at JBSA locations is a specific concern of Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta, JBSA and 502d Air Base Wing commander. In his Commander's Guidance Summary dated June 10, the general's objectives include making JBSA the conservation showplace of the Department of Defense and to reduce environmental strain by instituting resource discipline.
In addition to federal mandates and commander-driven goals, water conservation on JBSA is important to the sustainability of the San Antonio community.
JBSA draws the vast majority of its potable water from the Edwards Aquifer, which contains several endangered species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides its Biological Opinion, which provides guidelines on the amount of water JBSA can draw each month from the aquifer.
Everyone is encouraged to be vigilant and persistent in our efforts to reduce water consumption. Keep conservation in mind at all times - not only to meet base goals, but to become good stewards of our natural resources for generations to come.
Here's a simple checklist with ideas you can do in your office or at home to reduce water use:
- Buy WaterSense certified fixtures and appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, toilets and shower heads.
- Turn off the sink faucet while you shave, brush your teeth or lather your hands.
- Never run the dishwasher without a full load. This practice will save water, energy, detergent and money.
- Check for hidden water leakage such as a leak between the water meter and the house. To check, turn off all indoor and outdoor faucets and water-using appliances. The water meter should be read at 10- to 20-minute intervals. If it continues to run or turn, a leak probably exists and needs to be located.
Report all water leaks and waste in your building to the facility manager or energy monitor. For more information about water conservation, call the JBSA Base Energy Managers at 221-4203 for JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, 652-6988 for JBSA-Randolph and 671-0252 at JBSA-Lackland.