By: Sabrina Ahmed
sahmed@klkntv.com
Lincoln residents are conserving water in more areas than just their lawns. Most of Lincoln got some rain Friday, but we are still hurting for water in this drought. We have the restrictions for watering the lawn. But people are starting to cut down on water inside too.
We talked to people with and without lawns to water, most of them say they are using less water every possible chance they have. Just about everyone says they're cutting down on watering their lawns.
"Even though they only make you water 3 days a week, we've cut it down to 2 days a week," Robert Hinrichs said.
"Instead of watering 3 times a week, water once a week," James Hoppe of Lincoln said.
Inside, where there aren't any restrictions, it's just as important to be conscious of how much you're using. For many people, this is a new way of life for them.
Hinrich says, "Definitely cutting showers down-shampooing less."
"Turn of my faucet when I'm washing the dishes," Erika Hepburn said.
One common practice that people say saves a lot of water.
Hinrich says, "Also, we've been flushing the toilets less often." We talked to a lot of people who wouldn't go on camera who said they're not cutting back anymore than they have to. The mayor say it's important all of us to try and work together to use less water. Lincoln now averages 60 million gallons per day. And we need to get down to 55 million. He says if we can't cut back on water, more serious mandatory restrictions will go into effect.
Some say it's about time that happens. Hinrich says, "The summer's winding down, fall's around the corner, everything's gonna turn brown anyway."
Hoppe says, "I think we can sacrifice a few lawns in favor of having water for normal everyday uses."
The city has received 900 calls regarding water violations. Almost 200 citations have been issued since August 9th that's up to a 500 dollar fine and as much as 6 months in jail.
