Martin County Health Fair- Healthy Water, Healthy People

Last week, I traveled to the Permian Basin UWCD in Stanton to attend the Martin County Health Fair. The health fair brought together exhibits from across West Texas ranging from hospice healthcare to the importance of healthy water. Our exhibit encouraged the testing of water wells to ensure a healthy and wholesome water supply is available. 


Among this key message, we also spoke with several Stanton residents about water conservation. We passed out rain gauges, yard sprinkler gauges and an assortment of magnets and fly swatters. Overall, the message was well-received and people understand how crucial saving our water supply is. I look forward to having more opportunities to speak with West Texan residents on how they can do their part to save water and keep it healthy for the future. 


Below is a picture of the display. 

Daily water applied - rainfall amount = you saving water

Conserving water is always important, whether it concerns brushing your teeth or watering your grass. Whichever way you conserve water, it is important that we understand our total water use.

In a cooperative effort, the South Plains UWCD and the Terry County Garden Club are teaming up to promote water use awareness. It is vital to know exactly how much water plants need to reach their optimum result. 

In order to kick off the water use awareness project, we have developed a rainfall reporting method to help the Terry County Garden Club track the rainfall their garden plots receive on a weekly and monthly basis. Knowing the amount of rainfall determines how often plants are irrigated. A rain gauge will be placed at the community garden to record rainfall. The rain gauge measurement will then be updated on the calendar and on a handout in the plastic tube.

Garden club members are encouraged to periodically check the calendar and compare the amount of water applied with the amount of rainfall. Monitoring water use can save water and give your plants the best conditions possible to produce a great harvest.

While this specific project is designed for the garden club, you can get involved too by becoming more aware of your daily water use. We encourage you to practice good water conservation to prevent water waste both indoors and outdoors.

For more information, feel free to contact us at savegroundwater@gmail.com  

Just like the Terry County Garden Club, you can keep track of
 your water use and compare it to rainfall you receive. 

Don't forget to measure rainfall. Hopefully there's much more in store!

How will you save H2O this summer?

Car Washing with a Conscience

For most, washing a car consumes quite a bit of water. However, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District conducted a study to determine the exact amount of gallons used for washing nine cars. Depending on your "car washing conscience," you might even use less water than you would think.

The District used water meters to test gallons used per car. Check out the full article and complete newsletter by clicking on the link below.

BSEACD 2012 Newsletter

Texas Water Smart Campaign

Water is our survival. Without it, we cannot eat, drink or even be clothed. With supply dwindling and population growing, actions must be taken to conserve and maintain the water we have. The Texas Department of Agriculture is taking action by initiating the Texas Water Smart campaign. The water conservation  coalition consists of public and private entities who have a vested interest in decreasing water use across the state. The campaign mainly focuses on garden and lawn care, however, the primary goal is to conserve water in any way possible.