Friends –
The message to our fellow citizens regarding the seriousness of the water depletion issue is not sinking in, so to speak. The Metro Water Services Department typically maintains surplus water supplies in excess of 60%. Within the past 72 hours, that level has been depleted to 37% and consumption continues. As stated below, last year at this time, Nashvillians used 81.64 million gallons of water. Yesterday, they used 79.33 million gallons. A whopping 3% reduction. And we still have only one (1) treatment facility (Omohundro) in operation.
Simply put, we cannot continue to use water at current consumption levels or we will be forced to resort to bottled water.
Perhaps you have co-workers who showed up showered, shaved and blow-dried today. Please let them know the urgency of our current situation and remind them to cut by at least half their water usage rates.
Remember those scenes in Batman where no one could wear make-up because Jack Nicholson had poisoned it? We’ll look like that for a few days.
Mike
Mike Jameson
Metro Council, 6th District
We seem to be getting mixed messages about the city’s water issue. On the one hand, I heard of someone who pressure washed their walkway this week -- as if water were abundant (the clean kind, at least). On the other hand, Metro Water chief Scott Potter yesterday lamented the growing sense of panic causing people to fill their bathtubs, just in case of a shortage.
Neither of these is helpful, folks. Are we so allergic to the word “conservation” in this city that we either willfully ignore the call to conserve, or try to hoard supplies for an expected shortage? C’mon Nashville. You’re better than that.
Here’s what we did in Los Angeles in the ‘70s during the massive drought:
• “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.” I don’t think I need to add any more to that.
• If it involves a hose, don’t do it right now. That means no watering gardens (unless you’re like me and have a rain barrel) or washing cars. It’s just for a few days and nothing will die in that time.
• Restaurants should stop serving those glasses of water no one drinks, except on request. It will save loads on dishwashing.
• Do without laundry--wear those jeans one extra day, if possible.
• Showers every other day or, if you can’t do that, turn the shower on just to get wet and rinse off; turn it off while soaping up. Ditto with teeth brushing: don’t leave the faucet on, running into the sink.
Just a few ideas, I’m sure y’all can think of some more.
