June 2015 was recorded as the hottest June on record, and July is looking to contend with June’s extreme temperatures. The blistering heat, combined with the drought conditions of the past five years, is exhausting our water storage resources. 

As a result, the 75th Civil Engineer Squadron and Energy Management Office have been taking steps to reduce water usage on base. 

The past 2014-2015 winter season was one of the warmest winters on record, failing to deliver much-needed precipitation to the western United States. Utah relies heavily on rainfall, snowmelt, runoff and infiltration to supply fresh water. Reservoirs, lakes and streams are at an all-time low, or even dry due to the ongoing drought. Action to mitigate water usage is needed, and everyone will need to adopt new water use habits. 

Mindless water use in any way has to stop.

In an effort to protect, prevent and preserve our most precious resource, Hill’s Water Conservation Action Team focuses on promoting smart water use and implementing water conservation measures. 

The WCAT trends current water usage and representatives from housing, environmental, civil engeering and the Ogden Air Logistics Complex all seek out ways to conserve water within their specific organizations. 

A few examples of projects that WCAT have implemented include: Base housing set limited hours of operation for the splash pad located in the housing development, and restricted watering to three days per week. Environmental is also working to co-fund a water conservation campaign with the Energy Office.

There are simple ways that you, as a wise steward of our natural resources, can make a difference. 

One of the least demanding ways to save water this summer is watering conservatively. Regulators have been encouraging homeowners to let their lawns go dry this summer as one of the easiest ways to maintain local supplies if the drought continues. A good way to measure if your lawn is being overwatered is to set out a small tuna can on your lawn while watering; after 15 minutes, if there is more than 1/8 inch of water in the can, you are overwatering. 

Other water-saving measures are to reduce washing your car to once a month, wash full loads of clothing or dishes and think to recapture and reuse water for other purposes. 

For more information or to report water leaks, waste or other energy conservation concerns, call

801-777-1856.