POA water conservation suggestions

The Village POA is encouraging all residents and businesses to be conscious of the amount of water used each month.

The Arkansas Department of Health requires that planning must begin when use hits 80-percent of plant capacity. Hot Springs Village first exceeded 80-percent of plant capacity in 2005 and began planning for an expansion. In 2010, Hot Springs Village exceeded 80-percent on 30 days, most occurring in August. The POA has already exceeded the 80-percent production trigger eight times this month.

The conservation program is meant to delay the cost of expanding Hot Springs Village’s water treatment plant as long as possible. State law requires the POA continue its design plans, however postponing the construction would provide the POA with additional time to save for the estimated $4,000,000 expenditure.

Common techniques for conserving water include changing out old shower heads with new low-flow technology, installing low-flush toilets, and replacing old washing machines with high efficiency washing machines.

Displacement devices can used in toilets without the cost of purchasing a new low-flow toilet. Displacement devices include plastic water bottles filled with pebbles and positioned in the tank of the toilet. This reduces the amount of water used per flush. Adjustable toilet flappers are also available and allow for the adjustment in the amount of water used per flush.

Additionally residents can reduce their water usage by turning the water off while brushing their teeth or shaving, taking shorter showers, and running the washing machine or dishwasher only when full or using a reduced setting to match the load size.

Outside, residents and businesses can harvest rainwater for watering landscapes, use plants that require less water, adjust sprinklers to water landscaping and not the street, house or sidewalks, and water landscape in the mornings or evenings to avoid evaporation. Residents and businesses can also reduce the amount of watering by only irrigating on odd days if your address is an odd number or even days if your address is an even number.

Additionally, allowing the grass to grow slightly taller will reduce the amount of water loss by providing more ground shade for the roots and by promoting water retention in the soil. Mulch should also be used around plants and trees to retain moisture, and drip or other low flow irrigation devices can be used to avoid excess water loss.

At this time no mandatory conservation measures have been put into place. However, if production continues to exceed 80-percent, the POA will institute mandatory conservation measures.