Q&A
Taryn Hutchins-Cabibi, a water policy analyst for Western Resource Advocates, works on technical and policy issues related to urban water conservation and efficient supply use. Before joining the Boulder-based environmental law and policy center last year, she worked with the group Environmental Defense on cost-effective approaches to balance water demands and protection of the environment.
Q. Municipal and county officials are participating in water conservation workshops across the state. What do you expect to come out of that?
A: Our hope in creating these workshops is that they will provide a forum where water providers and others concerned about water issues will be able to share their experiences about what works, what doesn’t, what the challenges are and how to overcome them. We also hope these workshops will help utilities better define their needs, raise their awareness about the resources out there to help them attain their goals and to better integrate conservation into water planning.
Q. Since the drought, people are using less water. Now that the weather has improved, will people go back to their old ways?
A: Front Range cities are using substantially less water. Some cities have seen consumption drop as much as 20 percent. Water savings come from two primary places, changes to hardware and changes in habit. Hardware changes – like replacing old, inefficient toilets and washers – result in substantial long-term water savings. Over the past few years many municipalities have offered rebates for homeowners to replace old fixtures. We’re also seeing smaller lot sizes and less Kentucky bluegrass; less turf means less water to keep landscaping healthy.
Changes of habit are harder to predict and more likely to fluctuate, but the drought has heightened awareness to the fact we live in a semi-arid environment and water is a finite resource that needs to be used wisely.
Q. How do you convince people there’s a direct relationship between their sprinklers and the vitality of mountain rivers?
A: As the state population grows, it becomes increasingly important that people realize what they do in their homes really does impact their weekend playground. One person can’t do it alone, but if everyone conserves just a little, it adds up quickly. For example, if every person in Colorado consumed just a gallon of water less each day, we would have enough water to supply nearly 10,000 households for a year.
– Joey Bunch
REGIONAL NOTES
SEDALIA
Celeb golf match to help programs
Members of the Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche and Olympians and other athletes and celebrities will highlight the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Celebrity Shoot-Out at Sanctuary on June 19.
The seventh annual charity golf event benefits Douglas County youth and community service programs.
The event will benefit the Douglas County Task Force, the Race-A-Cop Youth Scholarship Program, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Benevolent Fund and the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Foundation.
Players and sponsors are needed. The entry fee is $875 per player, or $3,500 for a foursome. Sponsorships start at $425.
For more information, contact Lt. Alan Stanton at 303-660-7586 or astanton@dcsheriff.net.
DENVER POST STAFF REPORTS
