Rains giving wells a break

Recent rains have given the city water suppliers' 65 wells an unexpected break over the summer.

Brian Daly, the general manager of EPCOR, Brian Daly, the general manager of EPCOR said water usage was cut down from 71 percent to 60 percent after the thunderstorm that showered the area with about an inch of rain and postponed the July fourth fireworks display.

"It's unusual, in July," Daly said during a city water policy advisory meeting last week, "to have wells off."

By this time of the year, Daly said wells are usually at 90 percent capacity. He said EPCOR provides water to about 16,000 customers. Full capacity is considered to be what EPCOR can pump in one day, approximately 11 million gallons. The wells were at that capacity on June 26, 2011, Daly said.

In June water wells were producing water at an average of 68 percent capacity. The city received more than an inch and a half of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Last year, wells were at 100 percent capacity on June 26, according to Daly.

Even a quarter inch of rain brings a 5 percent to 7 percent decrease in water usage, Daly said.

"Customers will see rain and will immediately take their sprinklers off automatic and put them at manual off," he said. "With rain fall and the puddles, no one is going to wash their cars for a couple of days."

Aside from rains, Daly said the city's drought management plan, which is enacted every April until October, helps ease pressure off the wells.

The first stage of the plan asks residents to voluntary follow a staggered watering schedule. Depending on water usage, the city may escalate to the second stage of the restriction, which makes water schedules mandatory and imposes fines that range from $20 to $300.

Clovis Commissioner Randy Crowder, who chairs the city's water policy advisory board, said he believes the residents are abiding by the drought management plan since the city has not had to enact the plan's second stage.

"I believe the community on a whole pretty much observes the voluntary watering schedule," said.

Rainfall (in inches) — Average water usage

February — .25 4.371 million gallons/day

March — .14 5.943 million gallons/day

April — .33 7.531 million gallons/day

May — 2.52 7.409 million gallons/day

June — 1.51 7.516 million gallons/day

Water conservation tips:

• Water in the early morning or late evening to avoid evaporation.
• Use drought-resistant grasses like Bermuda instead of traditional Kentucky bluegrass, and avoid over-seeding in the winter.
• Different plants have different water needs. Try grouping plants that share the same water requirements together.
• Minimize the use of slopes in your yard. Also, practice intermittent watering to allow enough time for water absorption.
• Container gardening is a great way to add variety to your garden. Consider using drought-resistant succulents in your containers to further cut down on your water usage.
• Mulch helps reduce evaporation, lower soil temperature and control weeds.
• Choose an appropriate wash cycle for the size of the load. Eight to ten minutes is enough for most laundry requirements. Use the shortest cycle possible.
• Use a cold water rinse to save energy and reduce wrinkles.
• Conserve water when hand-washing dishes by partially filling the sink with soapy water and quickly rinsing dishes with a spray device or in a pan of warm water.
• Steaming vegetables uses less water than boiling and conserves more of the vegetables' nutrients.
• Got a drippy faucet? Learn how to fix it.

Source: EPCOR.com