Spring Break
Water conservation, distribution discussed by industry leaders
Ashley Robinson
Issue date: 2/23/09 Section: News
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As beer and hors d'oeuvres were served on the second floor of Morgan Library, dozens of people came together to discuss water rights, conservation, conflicts and the future of water distribution, not only between Colorado and its neighbors, but across the nation.
"Water conservation is an absolute must," said Colorado Supreme Court Justice Greg Hobbs.
"We can only consume one-third of our water run-off," he said, referring to state water contracts that maintain that Colorado can only use a specified portion of water from snow melt and other sources.
The remaining two-thirds of Colorado run-off water, as well as our used water, is used to sustain several surrounding states.
Ultimately, if much of Colorado's water is conserved -- because Nebraska and Wyoming receive the state's recycled water -- both states are in turn left with a decreased supply.
Some water experts, however, said there was an upside to water conservation.
"In some circumstances conservation can be very constructive," said David Freeman, a CSU sociology professor who works to restore water animal habitats. "But in other circumstances, conservation can keep water from returning to the river to support the ecosystem and other living things."
Freeman's proposed solution is to eliminate -- or at least reduce -- all privately owned lawns and instead build large, local parks for people of all ages to enjoy and to cut back on the amount of water necessary for up-keep.
CSU graduate student Carol Hutton Lucking voiced a similar plan and added that about 45 percent of residential water goes to lawns.
Other means for water conservation focus on educating people in Colorado about water and other resources.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Denise Cottham
posted 3/16/09 @ 6:16 PM MST
An extremley interesting piece of reading which has obviously been very well researched.
This writer shows great promise & should be encouraged to continue in developing her talent further. (Continued…)
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