The Woodlands Township has partnered with the Montgomery County Master Gardener Association and The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency to bring awareness of water conservation efforts and techniques through a free class.
The township’s water conservation class, which focuses mainly on teaching participants drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting techniques, began last year and saw success from the number of people who participated, according to township officials.
Lynne Aldrich, manager of township environmental services, said although the classes were held at separate times last year, this year the township created three similar classes, which are offered betwen May and July.
“[The program] was adapted for the summer drought period,” Aldrich said. “After last year trying these irrigation and harvesting classes out, we decided to continue. People were becoming more aware of the need for water conservation, and they wanted to do it.”
According to the township, the classes accept about 20 participants each and are held at the Parks and Recreation department. Aldrich said although May and June classes filled up quickly, residents can sign up for the third class, which is scheduled for July 25.
Aldrich said the need for water conservation is still strong in The Woodlands with the upcoming summer months, even with the record-setting amount of rain the area has received throughout the spring and early summer.
“Although we have had flooding and there has been a lot of rain, conserving water is still a thing to be aware of here because it’s a long-term issue,” she said. “I would like to know that my grandkids will have water. It can be hard for people to look ahead. These classes give people an opportunity to learn how conserving water can make a difference.”
The classes are led by two instructors from the Montgomery County Master Gardener Association. Jim Bundscho is an irrigation specialist and Mike Mendeck is a harvesting specialist who teaches participants how to build their own rain barrels to harvest rainwater.
Bundscho said he has noticed that people who have attended the class develop a personal connection to the amount of water they use in their yards and are now more interested in learning the techniques to better distribute their water uses.
“The rainwater harvesting component is] tailored specifically toward the homeowner’s system,” Bundscho said. “The emphasis on drip irrigation, which is converting landscape beds from spraying water to dripping instead, shows the benefits of water conservation.”
Bundscho also agreed with Aldrich that these types of classes are still relevant in The Woodlands, even with the recent rainfall.
“If you think of the soil here, it could rain and then seven days later it is bone dry again,” he said. “Also, in the summer about 50 percent of water usage is used for irrigation. That’s making a difference as well on the amount of water we’re using up.”
Next meeting: July 25, 9 a.m.-noon
The Woodlands Township, 8203 Millennium Forest Drive, 281-210-3800, www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov
