The Ogallala Aquifer is our most precious natural resource in the Texas panhandle. As occupants of this area and stewards of this land, it is our responsibility to make wise, future-minded decisions and practices concerning the use of this vital resource, making every drop count.
While water conservation seems to be the more prominent topic among those concerned with the depletion of the aquifer, it occurs to me that a realistic solution can be found in water management strategies which focus on efficient use of the water consumed. More efficient practices mean less water used, ultimately conserving more of the aquifer for future generations. Researchers and farmers have teamed up to develop practices which allow farmers to apply limited irrigation to their crops and still have a high enough yield to make a profit. According to an issue of the High Plains Journal, one such project will"study how farmers can grow 2oo-bushel corn crops on just 12 inches of irrigation in a year". This project was dubbed the 12-200 Project, or Limited Input Optimum Net (LION Project). This project raises questions about productivity in relation to profitability. For instance, farmers can push their crops to yield 350 bushels of corn, but the profit margin may be greatly reduced based on costs of fertilizer and irrigation. It is prudent for a farmer to consider all expenses which affect the profit of a crop, including the long term "cost" to the valuable resource of groundwater. By reducing plant population density, the farmer may be able to effectively reduce fertilizer applications as well as the amount of irrigation required to produce a desired yield. For farmers, this is a primary goal which will in turn benefit the conservation of precious groundwater.
Incorporating new technology in crop irrigation is another way to make water consumption more efficient. According to the Economic Impacts of Selected Water Conservation Policies in the Ogallala Aquifer Report by Amosson et at, "With traditional irrigation technologies, large quantities of water are applied in a short period of time. Gravity is used to spread the water which often results in non-uniform application of water..." Although this method, also known as row-watering, has been somewhat effective, some farmers are turning to more modern technologies to aid in crop production. This report also mentions that "efficient irrigation systems transmit a higher proportion of water applied to the root zone of the crop. This allows a higher level of water consumption for crops at a given level of water application and can allow the irrigator to reduce the application rates while still meeting the consumptive demands of the crops. These irrigation systems are expected to reduce water use by 10%-40% compared to conventional irrigation methods." Where pivot irrigation sprinklers began as highpressure impact systems, these are now being replaced with low-pressure "drops" which spray water from hoses that hang relatively close to the base of the plants. This method helps reduce the amount of evaporation and concentrates the largest volume of water close to the ground where it can be readily utilized by the plants.
Efficient municipal water usage would require cooperation of the public at large as this not only applies to industrial and commercial enterprises, but also urban domestic use. Schools can playa vital role in creating a sense of water conservation responsibility in children. Programs can be very effective in helping children realize how even a dripping faucet can deplete our water resources over time. A drip calculator found at http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/sc4.html can be used to illustrate that if a home has one leaky faucet which releases only 20 drips per minute, in a year's time, 694 gallons of water will be wasted. This type of "hands-on" learning tool makes a lasting impression. Children, in turn, influence their parents in simple conservation tasks such as remembering to turn off faucets while brushing teeth. Manufacturers are producing low-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads which can greatly reduce the amount of water used in these applications. It is more efficient to water lawns in the early morning hours before the temperatures rise which can contribute to excessive evaporation. Also, using sprinklers which deliver larger droplets close to the ground helps to eliminate the problem of evaporation. According to the Alderwood Water and Wastewater website, watering lawns about 1 inch per week encourages roots to grow deeper, making lawns more drought-resistant. Education of the public on these efficient water uses is the key to gaining public support in water conservation.
Although water management efficiencies and conservation really go hand-in-hand, efficient water usage must take the lead. New technologies provide options for more efficient methods of water consumption. When these methods are implemented in our everyday lives, each of us can help conserve our most precious resource. Future generations depend upon us and the decisions we make today concerning our use of the water we have, because every drop counts.
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