Only 3 percent of Earth’s water is fresh water. Of that, 1.7 percent of the world’s water is frozen and therefore unusable. Clearly, water is a precious resource, its importance only magnified during a drought.
“We woke up one morning, the toilet wouldn’t flush and the sink faucet didn’t turn on,” 21-year old Terre Haute resident Brandee Knight said.
Not knowing what happened, she flipped on the water pump breaker. The pump started working for a second, then kicked back off. The result: her well was dry. Knight had to live without running water for a week and a half, an experience she described as terrible.
“We couldn’t wash our hands, we couldn’t go to the restroom and we couldn’t shower. We basically had to go somewhere else to do all of that stuff,” Knight said.
Even though a new well has been drilled and water is flowing freely from the faucet once again, Knight is more aware of how precious of a resource water is.
“You don’t really realize how much water you use, or how much you really need it, until you don’t have it. One night we were cleaning up and somebody got something on their hands. They went and turned on the water, they then realized we didn’t have water. They had to wipe their hands off on a towel and use hand sanitizer,” Knight said.
Knight has even made a few lifestyle changes after living without water for more than a week and offers some words of caution for those who still have water in their well.
“Don’t take as long of showers. Whenever you’re washing dishes don’t let the water keep running. Be careful of how much water you are using, especially right now going through this drought,” Knight said.
Preventave
maintenance
The only puddle in Terre Haute sits at First and Elm streets. Slowly driving through that puddle is a line of trucks waiting for their turn to fill their tanks up at Indiana American Water. Many travel from West Terre Haute because the line is even longer over there to get water. One of those people is Max Flinn who was hauling water for his cattle after the pond on his property dried up.
“It is not real expensive, it is just the inconvenience of having to drive in, drive back, every night, day after day,” Flinn said.
Next in line was Ron Heyen who inserted one quarter at a time and watched as the hose jiggled back and forth while water flowed into his 200 gallon tank.
“I have hauled water for years, but only once in a while. This year it is more than once in a while. I will probably be here four to five times today. I am hauling for some other people out that way,” Heyen said.
Heyen is not out of well water yet, and hopes it never comes to that.
“I am preventing it from going dry. I typically haul once a week. I don’t want it to go dry. If it does then you have to go in and prime the well,” Heyen said.
He is taking every possible measure in making sure his well does not go dry. He says he generally conserves water around the house and also makes sure the toilets and faucets are not leaking.
“A lot of people lose a lot of water from a toilet that is leaking. They have a flapper that goes down and shuts off the water. Sometimes that is worn out and doesn’t work right. Or the water is running through the flapper real slow,” Heyen said.
Small adjustments, big water savings
1.6 billion gallons of water are wasted in the U.S every year because of inefficient toilets. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 established water conservation to save the United States an estimated 6.5 billion gallons of water per day. Older toilets use four to eight gallons of water per flush, while all new toilets must have a maximum flush volume of 1.6 gallons.
While replacing a toilet is a costly fix to save water, there are some cheaper adjustments one can make. First, see if your toilet is leaking water. You can test this by putting a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. Wait 20-30 minutes. If the food coloring is showing in the toilet bowl, then you have a leak. It could be a simple fix by getting a new flapper.
Once your leak is fixed, you can start reducing your water consumption by changing how many gallons you flush every time you use the toilet. This can be done without buying a high efficiency toilet. While this is a costly fix there are cheap tricks to save water. Place a sealed water bottle filled with sand in the toilet tank. By doing so you will be displacing that amount of water. A quick warning, this method will not work on all toilet models.
A family of four who each take a seven-minute shower can save 7,700 gallons of water per year by swapping their 2.75 gallons per minute showerhead with a 1.75 water-conserving showerhead.
For a few dollars you can switch out the aerator on your faucets with a low flow aerator. You will go from using 2.2 gallons per minute to 1.5 gallons per minute. For the average household, this can mean more than 14,700 gallons of water saved each year and a reduction in monthly water bills.
Safe in the city
Indiana American Water customers in Terre Haute receive water from an aquifer (an underground water source). IAW officials say the wells where they draw water from are in good shape and are not having any problems currently meeting customer demand.
“We have made investments that increase capacity to make sure we are able to provide service even in situations like this,” Indiana American Water External Affairs Manager Joe Loughmiller said.
While they are still running full steam ahead they have made some small adjustments. They are using less water when flushing out a new line and are making sure they do not have any leaks in their system.
“Obviously there is a finite supply of water. There is not any new water being made. So the water that was here years ago, is the same water that is here now. It is the ultimate recycling process, water just gets recycled over and over. The more well water we use, it is a little bit more difficult to recharge those supplies because it takes time for the water to go through the water cycle to get down into the aquifers. It makes sense for customers to do what they can to use water wisely,” Loughmiller said.
There’s a lesson we can all take away from living in a drought with no foreseeable end.
Top Story 3
Related Photos
-
Jane Santucci
Discussion
Your Green Valley: Water’s importance magnified during drought
- Top Story 3
-
-
UPDATE 4: Deadly tornado roars through Oklahoma City suburb
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.
-
UPDATE: 5 killed, 6 injured in I-70 van crash in Illinois
ST. LOUIS — A van carrying church members returning from a California gathering careened off of a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times today, killing five people and sending six others to hospitals, authorities said.
-
2 children reported dead from Indianapolis fire
INDIANAPOLIS — Authorities say some autistic children lived in the Indianapolis condominium unit where a fire has killed two children.
-
Update: Oklahoma, other tornado-hit states brace for more
SHAWNEE, Okla. — When Lindsay Carter heard on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, she gathered her belongings and fled. When she returned, there was little left.
-
Taylor Swift wins 8 trophies at Billboard Awards
LAS VEGAS — Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.
-
10 Things to Know for Monday
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Monday, May 20:
-
Longtime weatherman Jesse Walker relates well to people of Wabash Valley
While in middle and high school, Jesse Walker developed a strong interest in the weather. He thought about a career at the National Weather Service or at a storm prediction center, but the idea of becoming a television meteorologist never entered his mind.
-
Veterans take to the trees
Cristal Bednar took photos of her husband, Justin, as he laboriously climbed his way up a “Dangle-Duo” to get to a zipline at Indiana State University’s Sycamore Outdoor Center.
-
A battle of secret tactics
The embarrassing arrest of a suspected CIA officer in Moscow is the latest reminder that, even after the Cold War, the U.S. and Russia are engaged in an espionage battle with secret tactics, spying devices and training that sometimes isn't enough to avoid being caught.
-
UPDATE: Fire damages buildings in downtown Greencastle
GREENCASTLE, Ind. — Fire badly damaged several buildings today near the courthouse square in Greencastle, with flames shooting through the roofs as firefighters from several communities were called in to the central Indiana city to help.
-
‘A Song for Indiana’ to raise money for Dresser sculpture
Art Spaces will present “A Song for Indiana – The Paul Dresser Project” at 5:30 p.m. on June 6 at the Holiday Inn of Terre Haute.
-
MARK BENNETT: Local summer music series idea remains a good one
One-of-a-kind ideas happen rarely.
As the biblical adage goes, there is nothing new under the sun. We humans succeed occasionally, inventing electricity, automobiles, telephones and the Internet. Invariably, though, someone else insists, “Hey, my grandpa thought of that years before Edison.” -
Rapper Drake leads BET Awards with 12 nominations
NEW YORK — He started from the bottom, but now he’s on top at the BET Awards: Drake has 12 nominations. BET announced the nominees Tuesday. Rappers Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz are up for eight awards each.
-
Popular psychologist Joyce Brothers dead at 85
Joyce Brothers, the pop psychologist who pioneered the television advice show in the 1950s and enjoyed a long and prolific career as a syndicated columnist, author, and television and film personality, has died. She was 85.
-
More than just a mother, now she's your 'friend'
Josh Knoller, a young professional in New York City, spent years refusing his mother's "Friend Request" on Facebook before, eventually, "caving in."
-
Terre Haute’s Judson Hill band to unveil new album
The four-member group hopes its new album, “Beauty in Goodbye,” catches ears in the recording industry. They’ll unveil the 10-song CD in their hometown of Terre Haute this weekend, and play it live in March at Nashville’s iconic 12th & Porter club.
-
VIDEO: Mural unveiling today at Children's Museum
The public unveiling of the mural "Flightful Fantasy: We Can Fly, We Can Fly!" is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today, Oct. 5, on the third floor of the Terre Haute Children's Museum at Eighth Street and Wabash Avenue.
-
Motorcycle ride to celebrate Mellencamp’s birthday, support charities
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle rides in southern Indiana have plans to host a Hurts So Good charity ride as a tribute to Seymour native John Mellencamp in honor of his 61st birthday on Sunday, Oct. 7.
-
J.K. Rowling’s debut novel for adults worth a read
“The Casual Vacancy” (Little, Brown and Company), by J.K. Rowling.
So look, here’s the thing: This. Is. Not. A. Children’s. Book. If you’re looking for what made Harry Potter magical — Wizards! Spells! Flying Broomsticks! — you’re not going to find it. -
SLIDESHOW: This year's 15 hottest toys
Is it too early to start your holiday shopping? Not according to Toys R Us, which just released its "Hot Toy List" for 2012. Check out the top 15 toys that made the list. Find all 50 at toysrus.com/hottoys.
-
Silly Safaris brings live show to Children’s Museum
Do you want to get really close to some amazing animals? Would you like to touch some of your favorites? Then join the Terre Haute Children’s Museum at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, for a live animal show with Silly Safaris.
-
VIDEO: Mark Bennett: Hoosier trio dodges ditches on way to Terre Haute Blues Fest
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band has a critically acclaimed new album and video, and will perform Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Blues at the Crossroads Festival in downtown Terre Haute.
-
VIDEO: Outdoor Indiana magazine features Shades State Park, namesake of Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band
Outdoor Indiana magazine’s September-October issue features Shades State Park, located near Waveland in Parke, Montgomery and Fountain counties. Once known as The Shades of Death before it became a state park, it’s the most primitive state park in Indiana.
-
Art of the camera phone: Best photo apps
There are hundreds of apps out there for the iPhone photographer — some great, others less so. But just as with coffee, it's all a matter of taste. The fun thing is, it's only your own taste that matters.
-
Take a trip to Little Italy
Where can you find authentic Italy and be welcomed as an “honorary Italian” during Labor Day weekend in the Wabash Valley? Only in Clinton can visitors find themselves taking a step back in time and enjoying a piece of history created by Italian immigrants.
-
Listen to radios? Watch TVs? Not for the Class of ’16
Those born mostly in 1994 see the world in a much different way.
-
Max Jones: Dances for CHANCES — great fun for worthy cause
Many years ago — too many to ponder at the moment — I joined a community theater troupe in Sullivan and had the opportunity to perform in several Broadway musicals. In one instance, I was fortunate to have the lead role portraying George M. Cohan in the musical “George M!”
-
Mark Bennett: Food hub puts focus on overlooked sector of state
The ideal setting for a campaign ad is rural Indiana.
Candidates crave to be filmed strolling through rows of bean fields, wearing rolled-up sleeves, jeans and boots, and pointing into the distance, while a farmer in bib-overalls and a grain cap looks on in admiration. -
The call you can't answer with an iPhone to your ear
On family vacations, it's important for parents to be "present" (that is, not glued to their smartphones).
-
What the next iPhone is going to look like
When CEO Tim Cook announces the next iPhone sometime next month, industrial designers and Apple obsessives are going to scrutinize all of the changes, but I bet ordinary users won't look twice.
- More Top Story 3 Headlines
-
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
Raw: Suspects Butt Dial 911, Lead to Arrest
Raw: Okla. Tornado Aftermath 'Like War Zone'
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Raw: Heavy Tornado Damage in Shawnee, Okla
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone"
Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics
Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window
RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song
Justin Bieber Gets Booed
New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos
Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction
Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom
Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt
Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
