U.S. Water News Online
DENVER -- It didn't take a drought to inspire Water World to sell soft drinks in chilled bottles and serve ice only to customers who request it.
In a park where 547,000 visitors splashed around in millions of gallons of water last year, the park accounts for nearly every drop -- and ice cube. By not using ice cubes, the park saves about 30,000 gallons of water per year, said Joann Saitta, spokeswoman for Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District, which operates Water World.
``It didn't take a drought for us to recognize that water is a precious resource. It's in our name. It's in our spirit. It's in our blood,'' she said. ``We have been on a water diet for years.''
The park uses drought-tolerant plants and artificial turf, bans midday watering and irrigates with recycled water. Splash water is returned to attractions. Water conservation measures save the park an estimated 15 million gallons of water a year.
Next month, such steps will enable the park to open Storm, a churning 700-foot route featuring a 60-foot drop, howling wind, rumbling thunder, flashing lightning and toppled buildings. Water will be pumped in from an adjacent attraction.
``As people are having to do with less water at home, it makes sense for the greater good, for more people to come and enjoy a water facility together as a community,'' Saitta said.
Water will cost more this year because of drought surcharges, though Saitta could not estimate how much the surcharges would add to the park's water bill.
Water World, celebrating its 25th anniversary, set an attendance record last year and expects even more visitors this year, even though the state's worst drought and sagging economy have had a negative impact in some sectors of the state's tourism. The 64-acre water park has 41 attractions and operates between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Meanwhile, crosstown competitor Six Flags Elitch Gardens also has taken steps to save water over the past two seasons.
Marketing director Tracy Durham said ponds, water misters and a waterfall will remain dry for the second season in a row and the downtown amusement park's water rides will close an hour earlier than in previous years. The amusement park's water attractions include speed slides, a wave pool, and a family raft ride.
Durham said the park recycles water where it can. Last summer, it donated some 880,000 gallons of water to Denver and surrounding areas for reuse.
``We're doing our portion and then some, things that are not even required in order to support water conservation,'' she said.
Rick Root, president of the World Waterpark Association in Lenexa, Kan., said parks around the world have become more mindful of environmental issues. ``It's good business,'' Root said.
The international water park industry is worth more than $1 billion annually. Last year, water parks drew 72 million visitors worldwide, according to the World Waterpark Association.
At least one state tourism official argues that local attractions such as Water World and Six Flags Elitch Gardens stand to benefit from consumer wariness over the ailing economy and security hassles at airports. Eugene Dilbeck, president and chief executive officer of the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, said research indicates that Americans increasingly are willing to spend their money closer to home.
``The Water Worlds of the world are getting the benefit of some of that,'' Dilbeck said. ``We certainly had the failing economy that drove people to be more budget-conscious in the way they spent discretionary money for vacations and trips.''
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