Flip the Switch, Stop the Drip
Workshops provide valuable information to homeowners
By Danielle Supercinski
A mock-up of a rainwater harvesting system was displayed at the Uvalde workshop by Nueces River Authority. This system simulates rainfall so participants can visually see the rainwater being captured.
Texas AgriLife Extension Service county agents and specialists worked together through the Rio Grande Basin Initiative to host three energy and water conservation workshops for homeowners held in Ft. Stockton, Uvalde and Weslaco during March, April and June 2009 with 150 participants.
The three workshops, “Flip the Switch, Stop the Drip – Conserving Energy and Water, It’s Worth the Trip,” brought in homeowners from each of the surrounding areas. Each participant received an in-home water conservation kit, which included a water-conserving shower head, spray nozzle, energy-saving light bulb and faucet aerator, along with fact sheets, booklets and additional water- and energy-saving information.
“Water is inexpensive and is being misused,” said Janie Harris, Texas AgriLife Extension Service housting specialist in family and consumer sciences. “Families can change a few behaviors and install water saving devices in their older homes and realize about a 20 percent savings in water use, Harris said. Over a year’s time, this dollar savings adds up.”
Some workshop presentation topics included:
- Tips on Reducing Energy in the Home
- Changing Water Use in the Home
- Water Wise Landscaping
- How to Harvest the Rain
Representatives from Dimmit and Maverick counties demonstrate water runoff to homeowners at the workshop. Participants could see how contaminated water from their household, industries and other sources effects their groundwater and surface water resources.
- Janie Harris, Extension Housing and Environment Specialist
In-home water conservation and energy conservation - Barbara Storz, County Extension Agent-Horticulture, Hidalgo County
Landscape water conservation - Billy Kniffen and John Smith, Extension Program Specialists-Water Resources
Rainwater harvesting - Abigail Pritchard, County Extension Agent-Family Consumer Sciences, Ward County
In-home water conservation
Displays and handout materials were available for participants. A mock-up of a rainwater harvesting display was set up by Nueces River Authority, which had a small version of a barn with a water catchment system. Water was sprinkled on top of the barn and participants could see the water flowing down the roof, into the gutters, through the pipes and into the rain collection tank. Another demonstration showed the effects of runoff and how contaminated water from lawns, roadways and parking lots can travel down the sewer drains and hills into lakes, streams and groundwater.
Numerous county Extension agents and specialists in each of these and surrounding areas were involved in the planning and facilitation of these workshops.
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