Published in the Ocean County Observer
By KRISTEN PASCULLI
Staff Writer
TOMS RIVER -- In light of water-supply problems from the recent dry spell, United Water Toms River has unveiled its water conservation program, which uses the natural process of evapotranspiration, called the ET program, to help ensure consumption does not rise to an alarming number, and lawns can be better maintained.
Rich Henning, United Water assistant vice president of communications, said this is the first time he can remember the program being introduced to the public prior to Memorial Day, but Communications Manager Kevin Doell said the water company does have enough water to supply the area for the upcoming summer season.
The program involves measuring water loss from the soil through evaporation and moisture loss from plant life through the process of transpiration. Factors such as air temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall and solar radiation are all variables that affect the rate of moisture loss.
Since those conditions change daily, Henning explained, each day United Water will unveil the daily ET number, which takes all of those variables into account. Once residents know the daily ET number, they can check the Observer or refer to a chart which can be obtained from United Water that tells how many minutes of lawn watering is needed.
Henning explained that most people water their lawns too much, and the ET program helps them figure out how much is enough. Root systems develop better when they are not constantly watered, he said.
In addition to getting the daily ET numbers from local newspapers and television and radio stations, customers can call the ET hotline at (732) 349-0227, ext. 3034.
For the "not so ET savvy," Henning recommends watering lawns no more than once every three days, and taking into consideration when rainfall occurs.
United Water will be actively promoting this program for the sake of conserving water and in hopes customers will use less water and prevent wells such as problematic well 20 from having to be turned on again.
Officials from United Water confirmed yesterday that well 20 was activated on May 4 because of a high demand for water and two offline wells. It was turned off on May 7.
"There are no problems (with well 20)," Doell said. He noted that the well does have an elevated level of naturally occurring radiation than other wells used, but the levels fall under state and federal limitations. He added that, in cooperation with the requirements set forth by the state Department of Environmental Protection, the well is only turned on when water demand increases.
Henning said drinking water from well 20 has never failed tests and does not show a high level radiation when it moves through the pipes toward customers' homes. The controversy lies in levels of radiation at the well head, where radiation levels are reported to be higher.
Published on May 17, 2001
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