By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

ELLIS — The city of Ellis declared a Stage 3 Water Emergency in March because of low water levels in the city’s wells. Persistent drought and lack of rainfall have contributed to depletion of the Big Creek Aquifer, the city’s only water source.

Hoping to encourage Ellis residents to use less water, the city has implemented a free showerhead exchange.  The average person uses 80 to 120 gallons of water per day — with the largest amount used in the bathroom.

The showerhead exchange was developed by a seven-member team of Fort Hays State University Leadership Studies students joining city leaders with ideas for promoting water conservation in Ellis.

“The FHSU team ‘Water for the Heartland’ gave away about 40 low-flow showerheads during last month’s Follow the Star craft fair,” said Ellis Assistant City Clerk Charlene Weber. “They were exchanged for the showerheads currently used in residents’ homes.”

Another 10 or so showerheads have been exchanged at city hall.

“You can choose between chrome or white,” Weber said. “We’re also giving away aerators for kitchen faucets.”

“The ‘price’ for the free devices is filling out a water conservation survey, which includes tips for using less water inside a home and outdoors, ” she said.

Weber plans to work with another FHSU Leadership 310 team next month to organize a community water festival this spring.

“We’ll continue to build on the program and offer more water conservation education and information about landscape xeriscaping, which uses little to no water,” she said.

Ellis city officials are examining ideas for obtaining alternate water sources, but most options would take years to implement and cost upwards of $10 million.