Due to the lack of rain and extreme temperatures throughout the state, the mineral content of the lakes, rivers, and streams is severely concentrated. The City of Natchitoches’ water treatment process is very complex involving multiphase treatment; however, the extreme concentration of minerals in the water is allowing some breakthrough. Particularly, manganese is causing the tinted and discolored water you may be noticing at your tap.
According to Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr., the City is aware of this issue and has made multiple changes to continue to combat this problem. The water remains safe to drink as this is an aesthetic issue only. Weekly bacteriological sampling continues to be conducted and results remain negative affirming again that the water remains safe to drink.
Mayor Williams seriously urges the residents of Natchitoches and other water customers to conserve as much water as possible during this unprecedented national heat wave. Next to air, water is the most important element for the preservation of life. Water is a finite commodity which, if not managed properly, will result in shortages in the near future. Water conservation can go a long way to help alleviate these impending shortages.
Below are some ways to conserve water.
Water Conservation Tips:
Check your toilet for leaks: Put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the coloring begins to appear in the bowl, you have a leak that could be wasting more than 100 gallons of water a day.
Take shorter showers. A typical shower uses five to ten gallons of water a minute.
Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors. Hardware or plumbing supply stores stock easy to install, inexpensive shower heads or flow restrictors that will cut your shower flow to about three gallons a minute instead of five to ten.
Take baths. A partially filled tub uses less water than all but the shortest showers. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
Turn off the water while shaving. Fill the bottom of the sink with a few inches of warm water to use o rinse your razor.
Check faucets and pipes inside your residence and outside for leaks. Even a small drip can waste 50 or more gallons of water a day.
Use your automatic dishwasher for full loads only.
Use your washing machine for full loads only. Your washer uses 30 to 35 gallons per cycle. Be sure you are choosing the correct load size.
If you wash dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running for rinsing.
Water lawns sparingly. Water your lawn during the cool parts of the day and plant drought-resistant trees and plants.
Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks and steps. Using a hose wastes hundreds and hundreds of gallons of water.
Don’t run the hose while washing your car. Soap down your car using a bucket of soapy water.
Use a hose only to rinse it off. When you wash your vehicle, park on the grass so the water also waters the lawn.
“In order for this situation to improve, we need all of water customers to implement these conservation strategies in their daily activity,” said Mayor Williams. “We appreciate your continued patience in this matter.”
