School districts in the Texas Panhandle struggling to keep grass and playing fields green, conserve water and keep expenses down
4/23/2014 2:09:01 PM
CATEGORIES:
Society & Public Health
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Highland Park, TX
Amarillo, TX
Bushland, TX
Canyon, TX
Start Date: 4/20/2014
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School districts in the Texas Panhandle were struggling to keep grass and playing fields green, conserve water and keep expenses down as drought and rising water rates challenge their efforts.
The Canyon Independent School District (CISD) drilled two wells at Canyon and Randall high schools at a cost of $75,000 apiece, which provide water for a tenth of the price of municipal water. CISD drilled another two wells at Canyon Junior High and Reeves-Hinger Elementary School.
Water cost the school district $318,000 in 2013, up nearly $49,000 from the previous year.
The water rate for CISD in the city of Canyon rose from $4.34 per thousand gallons in the 2010 fiscal year to $4.95 per thousand gallons, which is a reduced water rate.
At CISD’s Amarillo schools, the water rate increased from $4.09 per thousand gallons in 2010 to $4.65 in 2013.
Some schools have installed artificial turf to cut down on water use and water bills.
Amarillo Globe-News (Texas), April 20, 2014
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