U.S. Water News Online
EL PASO, Texas -- Conservation is a critical component of water resource management in El Paso. By establishing outdoor watering restrictions and offering incentives such as rebates for conversion to low-flush toilets, the desert city of 700,000 has reduced per capita consumption to 163 gallons per day.
On April 15, El Paso Water Utilities will kick off a unique program that could save up to four million gallons of water per year. The massive showerhead replacement program, a component of Phase II of the utility's Water Conservation Plan, is the first of its kind in the nation.
El Paso Water Utilities will begin by distributing 200,000 free low-flow showerheads -- two to each residential customer and larger quantities to commercial establishments. The distribution of the 23,000 units requested by local hotels, apartment complexes, and other commercial customers will begin on May 11.
About 40 percent of El Paso's municipal water supply comes from the Hueco Bolson, an underground aquifer that also provides water to Ciudad Juárez in Chihuahua, Mexico. A recent U.S. Geological Survey report confirmed that continued mining at the current rate would deplete the Texas portion of the aquifer of fresh water in 20 to 25 years and the Mexico portion within five years. Faced with a growing population and diminishing water supplies, local officials have said conservation is essential in El Paso.
Also included in Phase II are rebates to the purchasers of horizontal axis washing machines or refrigerated air conditioners and changes to the commercial landscape, water conservation, and plumbing ordinances. These components are planned for later this year.
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