Department of Ecology News Release - Sept. 4, 2001

Drought update: conserving water should be a part of going back to school

OLYMPIA - Following is the Department of Ecology's (Ecology) weekly report about the status of drought conditions in Washington, assistance being provided by state agencies, and what citizens can do to conserve and share water.

Status of drought conditions

Since October 2000, precipitation has been between 51 percent of average at the Columbia basin above the Methow to 70 percent of average at the Walla Walla and Touchet basins, as well as the Olympic basin.

In some areas of the state, stream flows continue to be below typical levels. For example, the Green River below the Howard A. Hanson Dam is running at 218 cubic feet per second (cfs) compared with 240 cfs for the average. Also, the Yakima River at Kiona is at 1,410 cfs compared with its average of 1,760 cfs, and the Columbia River at The Dalles is at 59,500 cfs compared to the 125,000 cfs average.

Take conservation habits back to school

Children may be among the best at conserving water, according to Rhonda Hunter, an environmental education specialist with Ecology.

"Sometimes it takes a generation to change habits," said Hunter. "In the 1970s, very few people in Washington state recycled paper, cans or glass.

Today, it is a habit for most adults under age 50."

She said it is often easier for young people to develop good lifetime conservation or recycling habits than it is to change their familiar ways as older adults.

"The same may be true for conserving water," said Hunter. "That's why I urge students to return to the classroom with some of the same conservation habits they've been using this summer."

Some conservation tips geared toward students include:

• * Take quick showers, especially after P.E. classes and sports practices.
• * Turn the faucet off when brushing teeth.
• * Bring a water bottle to class to avoid using a drinking fountain that can use more water than a person drinks.
• * If students see water coming from unused water faucets or showerheads, shut them off.
• * Run a complete load of laundry, not just one pair of jeans.

Teachers can build students' knowledge of water conservation through school lessons and activities. The "Project Wet Curriculum & Activity Guide," available in teacher workshops coordinated by the Department of Ecology, contains ideas for teachers to use.

Project WET workshops and more water education materials are available on the Internet at www.ecy.wa.gov/news/ee/index.html or by contacting Rhonda Hunter by phone at 360-407-6147, e-mail at rhun461@ecy.wa.gov.

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