The Water Shortage Panel Talks Stage 4 from MWSU Campus Watch on Vimeo
It’s been three years since Wichita Falls residents have seen a large amount of rainfall. City officials implemented stage 4 water restrictions Nov. 16. Less than a week later, a panel of area experts spoke out on the seriousness of these conservation efforts during this drought disaster.
Russel Schreiber, the city’s director of public works said, “Every time someone can save an extra liter or an extra quart, it adds up.”
In 2011, Wichita Falls had a record setting number of days more than 100 degrees being named the worst summer city by the weather channel.
KAUZ Chief Meteorologist Ken Johnson spoke on how facts like this effect this area.
“So if you do the math over the past three years that puts us about 34 to 35 inches below average,” Johnson said. “That’s more than a years worth of rainfall. That means we basically went a year to a year and a quarter with out rain.”
The panel was hosted by newpaper practicum students Brittany D’Alesandro and Megan Fernandez.
City Manager Darron Leiker gave some advice on how to help conserve water.
“Be conscious when using water,” he said. “Brush your teeth in the shower. Limit the showers, shut off the water when your brushing your teeth, common sense things like that.”
The severity of this drought should be taken seriously by everyone, including MSU, because water is low in amount and quality.
Daniel Nix, public utilities operations manager, said, “Stage four triggered when our combined lake levels reached 30 percent. That means 70 percent of our lake supply is gone. The remaining 30 percent we have to conserve that, and try to get to a water cycle in our climate.”
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