A group of Fort Hays State University Students is partnering with the City of Ellis to help promote water conservation.

Water for the Heartland is a group of seven students from FHSU’s Leadership 310 class that is joining with the city to set up a low-flow shower head exchange program for residents who live within the city limits.

The continuing drought and lack of rainfall have contributed to depletion of the Big Creek Aquifer, Ellis’ only water source, forcing the city to declare a Stage 3 Water Emergency earlier this year.

According to the release from Water for the Heartland, swapping an older shower head for a low-flow design can save 40 percent on water use.  Shortening showering time from 10 minutes to five minutes with the addition of a low flow shower head can save 17.5 gallons of water, or up to 70 percent of the water needed per shower.

Ellis residents can bring their older shower heads to the City Clerk’s office and exchange it for a new, low-flow shower head, for free. A water saving faucet aerator will also be offered free of charge to city residents.

The students from the Water for the Heartland Team will also have a booth at the Follow the Star Craft Fair on Saturday, December 7th with water conservation tips and educational activities for the whole family.  City residents may also exchange shower heads at the Follow the Star Craft Fair.