Even as River Water Returns, EPWU Urges Conservation

The El Paso Water Utilities/Public Service Board just issued this press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    June 5, 2012 Even as river water returns, EPWU urges conservation Utility calls on customers to resume two-day-a-week voluntary watering schedule

EL PASO – El Paso Water Utilities has resumed treatment of river water at two plants that were shut down when the Rio Grande ran dry in May. “El Pasoans worked together to answer our call for conservation and avoided mandatory water restrictions during a critical two-week period,” said EPWU President and CEO Ed Archuleta, “but we mustn’t let our guard down. Even though there’s water in the river, it’s not going to be nearly as much as we get in a typical year.” EPWU is asking residential customers to resume voluntary outdoor watering on only two days per week and only on designated days. •    Even-numbered addresses: Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. •     Odd-numbered addresses: Wednesday, Friday or Sunday. •     Before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Additionally, EPWU has adjusted its goal for daily water use. The utility is seeking to keep city-wide use below 145 million gallons per day. Daily updates can be found on the front page of the El Paso Times, at Facebook.com/EPWater and by following @EPWater on Twitter. “While this critical period has passed, drought conditions continue across the Rio Grande watershed,” Archuleta said. “Since the drought is not expected to end anytime soon, now is the time to adopt the ‘Less is the New More’ lifestyle. “It’s about conserving water, saving money and living more responsibly in the Chihuahuan Desert.” El Paso Water Utilities has a complete water conservation guide at LessIsMoreEP.org. A similar “Less is the New More” guide was mailed to EPWU customers with the May bill. ###