While Mayor Mehaul O’Leary and the rest of the City Council tap their fingers waiting for drought-driven water restrictions to become law, he has a creative idea that could make saving water fun.
Even though the Council delayed a vote two nights ago on implementing Level 2 water restrictions, “I would hope everyone is being constantly reminded of conserving water,” the mayor said.
And now the birth of an idea: “I think the answer is with our kids,” said Mr. O’Leary. “We adults sometimes learn better lessons from our children.”
Here is what he means:
“I have asked the local water agencies to start up a program called SWAT. You would have a bunch of kids (age 10 and up) out there with SWAT tee-shirts and a badge. Make them look like a SWAT team – Saving Water Action Team.
“They would go around their neighborhoods, handing out flyers, knocking on doors, talking to their neighbors about saving water. Spread the word.”
So far, though, Mr. O’Leary has been stymied when he talks to prospective sponsors.
“They say to me, ‘Oh, I wish I had known of that before we spent all of our funds.’ They have all had their Idea Day, I guess, and mine will be put on the shelf until they run out of ideas.”.
Meanwhile, Mr. O’Leary is realistic about popular response.
“Some people are going to abide by the rules and some are not,” he said. “If we do watch our water usage, we will get there and then we can relax a bit.”
Mr. O’Leary has been in a conserving mode. “I am conscious of the water I am using when I take a shower,” he said. “I am conscious of activities in the bathroom area, and when I am washing things, I am conscious of the amount of water I use.”
