Altus Air Force Base News

 

Altus AFB begins Stage 1 water restrictions

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The City of Altus and Altus Air Force Base are now under Stage 1-Drought Watch water restrictions.

This ends the Stage 3 restrictions, which were set in place in April 2013.  City council members were unanimous in their decision to reduce water restrictions to Stage 1 and begin drafting a "water conservation" ordinance that will be used in place of the Stage 1 restrictions at some point in the near future. 

According to the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, Altus has received 22.2 inches of rainfall in 2015, more than the entire last year. Tom Steed Reservoir currently sits at capacity and should be able to supply the area with water for 6-8 years. Still, conservation is the best way to keep existing water sources from running dry, said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Gregory Reich, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron commander.

"People tend to see the rainfall, the green lawns and the change in weather as an opportunity to use water how they'd like, but that is the wrong mindset. Tom Steed Reservoir was full in the summer of 2008, just seven years ago. Water conservation is a culture change that we must uphold, or we may find ourselves in the same situation in five to 10 years," said Reich.

The following Stage 1 restrictions have the biggest impact on residents:

- Residents are asked to conserve water by limiting outside watering to the hours between 6 p.m. - 9 a.m. every other day.

-  Residents may wash their cars at home but are asked to ensure the hose is equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle.  Positive shut-off nozzles stop the flow of water through the hose when released by the operator.

- Residents who live on base may fill and use pools in accordance with the Balfour Beatty Communities Resident Guide, which states, "Residents may have one (1) small wading pool up to six (6) feet in diameter and one (1) foot in depth in the backyard only."

"Water is a precious resource," said Reich. "The city is looking for other ways to supply us with water, like wells and water reuse systems, but conservation is the best way we can ensure water for years to come."

There are many ways to conserve water, and the following tips can be easily implemented around the home:

- Repair leaky faucets, indoors and out.

- When cooking, peel and clean vegetables in a large bowl of water instead of under running water.

- Only run the dishwasher when it's full.

- Take short showers instead of baths.

- Turn off the water to brush teeth, shave and soap up in the shower.

- Run only full loads of laundry or purchase a washing machine that can be adjusted to the load size.

- Only water the lawn when necessary, and avoid watering on windy and hot days, when evaporation is more likely.

- Apply mulch around shrubs and flower beds to reduce evaporation, promote plant growth and control weeds.

- Always use a broom to clean walkways, driveways, decks and porches, rather than hosing off these areas.