By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Residential water consumption in Hays during March was flat while business consumption was up 16 percent, according to the March financial statement presented to city commissioners last week by Kim Rupp, Hays financial director.
"The numbers translate to a 6.9 percent increase in combined water revenue when compared to a year ago," Rupp reported. "The year-to-date water and conservation revenue is up 7.2 percent," he added.
Holly Dickman, water conservation specialist for the city of Hays, is confident residential water use has increased since the stay-at-home order by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly was issued March 28 to slow the spread of COVID-19.
"I think with people being at home, in general we're seeing a little bit of an increase in consumption at home," Dickman said.
"Personally, I'm washing a lot more dishes," she laughed.
Many people are working from home, so there's more toilet flushing. They may be cooking more meals at home — for the entire family. There is also more hand washing — a top recommendation for removing germs by everyone from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to local health care workers.
Dickman has several tips for reducing household water use which are available on the department's social media sites and web page.
"Make sure that dishwasher is full before you run it. If you're washing dishes by hand, have a full sink of dishwater and a rinse basin so you're not running the faucet constantly while you're washing those dishes.
"Teach your kids to make sure the faucet is shut completely off after they're done washing their hands.
"When you do wash your hands, it's always a good idea to wet them, get some soap, shut the water off and scrub for 20 seconds. Then turn the water back on and rinse.
Dickman pointed out the water saving tips should be used at all times, including limiting showers to five minutes and shutting off the water while brushing your teeth.
The U.S. Drought Monitor released April 23 shows dry conditions continuing to expand in central and western Kansas, with drought conditions expanding slightly in southwest Kansas and abnormally dry conditions spreading to north-central Kansas.
Nearly all of Ellis County is abnormally dry and April has been a dry month in Hays.
According to official records from the K-State Agricultural Research Center, only 0.47 inches of moisture had been recorded through April 27. The monthly average is 2.11 inches by the end of April.
