With all the rain we’ve had, you’d think the drought is history.

Not so, according to the National Weather Service.

I’ve listened to a presentation by one weather professional and read countless stories quoting NWS meteorologists, and the stories vary from no end in sight to a waning of La Nina, a weather pattern that results in drought, by early summer.

Who knows? I don’t think anyone does.

However, we live in a semi-arid climate subject to occasional, but dependable, drought periods.

Yet, throughout the dry heat of last summer, we were never subject to water restrictions. San Antonio residents certainly were restricted in their water use. In this neck of the woods, or should I say, sand dunes, we only were subjected to burn bans.

Given the projected population increases in Texas in the next 10, 20, even 50 years, and given the scarcity of water with the current population, water restrictions seem like a no-brainer.

Whether it’s required or not, it makes sense for each of us to use water wisely. It is not an unlimited resource. Everyone pitching in on a daily basis might make a big difference in saving the resource and putting off mandatory restrictions.

So, water your landscapes only as needed, and make sure the water goes where it does the most good, which is not down the gutter.

Don’t water between

10 a.m. and

6 p.m.

Don’t turn on the kitchen faucet and wash one dish at a time. Fill the sink with water – you’ll use less water.

Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.

Take your car to the car wash. They use less water than if we bring out the water hose at home, and that, ultimately, will save you money.

Find ways to reuse water. For example, when you change the filter in your refrigerator ice maker and have to dispose of the first batch or two of “new” ice and water, use the water and melted ice to water indoor plants.

Just get used to saving and reusing water as a part of your daily routine. That way, when water restrictions are mandatory, you won’t have to feel as though you’re depriving yourself of anything – and really, you’re not .

Mary Henkel Judson is editor and co-publisher of the South Jetty. Contact her at (361) 749-5131, southjetty@centurytel.net or P.O. Box 1117, Port Aransas, TX 78373.