City Takes Steps to Conserve Reservoir
Recent precipitation fails to erase rain deficit; Susquehanna River to be tapped.
“This is by no means a water emergency," says Acting Public Works Director Shirley A. Williams. "We are basically conserving some of our reservoir water and using the Susquehanna while the river is running high."
Beginning December 18, Baltimore City will begin withdrawing 50 million gallons of water a day from the Susquehanna River. The announcement was made by Acting Public Works Director Shirley A. Williams.
Since June 7, when reservoirs were 99% full, water reserves have steadily decreased. Now reservoirs are at 66% full. Therefore, as stewards of the metropolitan water supply, the Department of Public Works has decided to begin drawing water from the Susquehanna River in anticipation of continued dry weather patterns.
Average water use for the City’s 1.8 million customers in the Baltimore region is 265 million gallons per day. In the summer, water demand often increases to over 300 million gallons daily.
Williams urges those who receive water bills from Baltimore City to voluntarily reduce water use by 5%. In a prepared statement to the press, she said, “This is by no means a water emergency. We are basically conserving some of our reservoir water and using the Susquehanna while the river is running high. The water quality is excellent. By doing this we hope to avoid shortages come warm weather, and all citizens can help by using water wisely.”
To conserve water, Williams suggests the following:
- Do not take extended showers. Even a one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons per month.
- Only use washing machines when you have full loads.
- Wipe rather than rinse dinnerware before placing in the dishwasher. Fill the dishwasher before running it.
- Don't defrost frozen foods with running water. Place frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or defrost them in the microwave.
- Do not continuously run the water when shaving or brushing your teeth.
- Fix leaks around your home and business.
For more ways to conserve water, go
Copyright © 2007 The Baltimore Chronicle. All rights reserved.
Republication or redistribution of Baltimore Chronicle content is expressly prohibited without their prior written consent.
This story was published on December 12, 2007.