Tucson Water Customers Reach A Milestone

Written by Bud Foster KOLD News 13

"My jaw dropped. I went whoa," says Mitch Basefsky of Tucson Water.

Basefsky was reacting to the news that for the first time, Tucson water customers used less than 100 gallons of water per person per day.

In 1955, it was 172 gallons a day. Dropped to 115 in 1997. And now, 99.

"It's probably a combination of factors but we don't know for sure," he says.

Tucson is very well education and well versed in water conservation. It's been a priority here for decades.

Technology is getting better all the time with low flow shower heads and toilets.

And the economy may play a factor in the recent dramatic drop in water usage.

"People are looking for ways to cut back on their monthly expenditures and water is a good way to do that," says Basefsky.

"It seems the right thing to do if you're a desert dweller," says Ilene Grossman.

Grossman and her husband have installed two 750-gallon bright blue cisterns on the back of their house. They've also hand built a greywater system which recycles their washer water.

Click here to view article.