Overview: Environmental Health in Your Community, Essay Example

The city of Austin has recently updated their Water Conservation, policy that has been in action since 2012, for most of the residents. This is mainly caused by the serious water drought that has affected most of Central Texas. This implemented city rule is based on Austin city Ordinance No. 202120816-004, signed and proposed by the members of the city council. Per their words, “given the potential for severe and frequent drought conditions in Central Texas, it is essential that water use policies balance the need to conserve water with the need to protect the City’s urban landscape and tree canopy.” (City Council, 2012) The purpose of the city ordinance is to conserve the depleting water that consists of outdoor water, as well as water needed for fire emergencies, and natural disaster. The city ordinance is in place to properly manage and ration water supplies to be available in the near future for all residents.

This city ordinance is essential to ensuring that enough water be available for not only emergency crews, but also residents in routine situations such as drinking, bathing, cleaning, watering, and other uses. This restrictive schedule allows residents to use, as well as to preserve the natural water resources that Austin and surrounding cities utilize. Residents, public schools, and commercial companies can only use their water for uses through their hose or automatic irrigation on specific days. Can only wash their cars, including charity washes, at car washing facilities that are fitted with water recycling unit. (City Council, 2012) Austin’s main water source is the Colorado River and Lake Austin which levels are dramatically decline in the past few years. It is only from past rain that the levels have not reached an all-time low. I agree that with the presiding drought, it is essential that precaution and conservative action be taken to preserve the River. Many surrounding cities rely on Austin to supply water, and it is important that Austin and its’ residents try to conserve water for the future, as well as for the environment.

References

Austin City Council. (2012). Ordinance No. 20120816-004 (Water Conservation). Austin Texas Gov. Retrieved from http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Water/Conservation/Planning_and_Policy/ConservationCodeAndOrdinance_8-16-2012.pdf