Posted on: Tuesday, August 5, 2003

Water conservation better when voluntary

The difference between voluntary water conservation and mandatory restrictions is that, in a voluntary system, the user maintains control over how and when water is used.

Thus, it makes great sense to heed warnings from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply about water use. The board is asking for a voluntary 10 percent reduction in demand, a goal easily achieved by applying a bit of common sense.

For instance, the board asks that people restrict lawn and garden watering to three days a week and that watering take place before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m., when less will be lost to evaporation.

Water conservation is one of those things that seems easy to ignore: As long as most people are being careful, what does it matter if I get a little careless?

But it really is a task everyone must share.

If O'ahu cannot get its water use down voluntarily, the board is willing and able to impose mandatory restrictions.

Mandatory restrictions are a less desirable choice because they take flexibility out of individual hands.

So join the battle now through voluntary conservation of water. If everyone cooperates, we will not have to go through the disruptions of mandatory cutbacks.