COLUMBUS, OHIO– Winter snows and spring rains have helped ease the severe drought conditions prevalent in Ohio during much of 1999. But the effects of last year’s dryness still persists in many areas of the state. Good water management this summer by all Ohioans will help preserve Ohio’s most important natural resource and prevent water shortages later this year.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) hydrologists indicate that surface water supplies – including recreational reservoirs – are in excellent condition across nearly all of Ohio, but ground water supplies continue to be below normal. Forty-five percent of all Ohioans rely on ground water for their everyday drinking water, and nearly 90 percent of our public water systems rely on groundwater as all or part of their water source.

Spring showers have provided ample surface moisture to fill reservoirs, green-up lawns and pastures, and germinate crops, but not enough to replenish the state’s underground aquifers.

Long-range forecasts indicate that Ohio could experience drought-like conditions once again this summer. However, conditions are not expected to be as severe. National Weather Service forecasts indicate that temperatures are predicted to be above normal all summer and precipitation is expected to be near normal.

"Drought is a naturally recurring feature of climate and we must be prepared to deal with water shortages and distribution problems if they arise," said ODNR hydrologist Dave Cashell. "Water supply managers have learned valuable lessons and have made vast improvements in water supply, storage and distribution to reduce their vulnerability to drought. However, at times, additional measures to stretch limited resources must be implemented."

To ensure an adequate supply of water for your needs today, and for the needs of future generations, we must make the most efficient use of Ohio’s water resources.

Here are some ways Ohioans can practice water use efficiency where it matters most – right at home:

• More than 40 percent of daily water use in an average home is in flushing toilets. A standard toilet uses about five gallons for each flush, but you can reduce that significantly if you fill a plastic jug with water and place it into the tank (add some gravel to the jug to weight it down). Don’t use a brick as it could deteriorate and crack the tank.
• The second biggest water use in the average home is in the shower. Showers pour out five to 10 gallons a minute. Reduce consumption by keeping shower time less than five minutes. A bath uses less water (about 30 gallons) than an average shower (about 100 gallons).
• Need a cool drink? Rather than letting the faucet run for a minute, keep cold water in the refrigerator. A single indoor faucet can pour out two to eight gallons a minute.
• Make sure your dishwasher or clothes washer is full before you use it. Washing machines and automatic dishwashers account for about 20 percent of household weekly water use – 30 gallons for each load of laundry and 17 gallons for each load of dishes.

• Summer lawn watering can more than double a normal Ohio household’s water use. A single lawn sprinkler can use as much as 600 gallons of water an hour. Position your sprinkler so that every drop reaches the lawn, not the sidewalk or driveway
• Your lawn won’t need more than an inch of water a week to stay green and healthy. Measure that with an empty tuna can on an open, shaded area of your lawn.
• Water your lawn prior to 10 a.m. to reduce evaporation.
• Set your mower to about three inches in the summer, to allow the grass to shade its own roots and reduce water requirements. If grass springs back after you walk on it, it doesn’t need watered.
• The best way to water a tree is to drill a 1/16" hole in the bottom of a five-gallon bucket. Fill the bucket with water and set it beside the tree. The slow, steady trickle of water will reach the roots more efficiency than watering with a hose.