Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Conserving our Most Fixed, Finite and Fickle Resource

OPENING: Jack Petersen assumed responsibilities as SGR’s Sergeant-at-Arms greeting Rotarians and other visitors to the 3745th regular weekly meeting of St. George Rotary. Ray Robinson lead the SGR Choir in "I’m Looking Over A 4-Leafed Clover" accompanied by Marva Condie. Dan McArthur invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance and Bob Bramlage asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Shar Heitkotter conducted an energetic Horseplay with fines collected by Mark Peterson on behalf of the Guatemalan stove project.

PROGRAM: Julie Breckenridge, conservation coordinator for the Washington County Water Conservancy District, reminded those in attendance that water is "fixed, finite and fickle . . . fixed because we have the same amount today as we had thousands of years ago . . . finite because as the population increases each person gets a smaller portion . . . and fickle because you never know when you will get more and how much it will be." With the increased frequency, length and severity of droughts and high population growth in the area, water has become even less predictable and a challenge to manage efficiently. Water conservation, defined as activities which reduce the demand, improve efficiency of its use and reduce loss and waste, is vital in meeting these challenges sine individual small savings can add up to large savings. Although water conservation does not eliminate the need for future water projects based on population growth projections, it is crucial in meeting current demands. For more information on ways to save water in everyday usage or to schedule a soils test, call Julie Breckenridge at 673-3617.

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