St. George officials want to take a pro-active stance in water conservation rather than wait for the well to run dry.
During the next few years, the city will put new technology into place that could cut water waste by more than 30 percent."We`re keeping track of how much water we`re using right now," said John Wilson, parks superintendent. "Within the next two or three years, we will know how much."
Wilson said he will start a water-auditing program this fall that will help identify problem areas. Just changing the locations of sprinklers can increase the system's efficiency from 30 percent to 80 percent, he said.
In addition, he wants to add a weather station. Watering needs depend on temperature and humidity, but right now it's impossible to know when and how to adjust the sprinklers according to the weather, he said.
The department already has a computer that enables Wilson to change the amount of water four city parks receive. With the weather station and the addition of all city property on line with the program, Wilson said the city will save a lot of water.
"The potential for savings there is really great," he said.