It has been so hot (Houston) I am concerned if water rationing is in the near future.

How do you stay sane during a drought?

Trust me I am very greatful for being able to take a shower when I want.

Yes, in NCAL many years ago.  We put out rain barrels to collect runoff.  The most irritating thing was having to manage toilets "when it's yellow let it mellow, when it's brown flush it down."

for years now. I don't think I have watered my lawn in about 4 years. Sucks, doesn't it?

The last time there was water rationing in my area, they were building two brand new golf courses in the same area. Apparently, if you have enough money, you can convince whomever you need to convince, that they need to find you enough of what they call "Water Credits". Then, you can build your golf course. WTF is a cater credit?

Hopefully it will be enough.

In the past, I have always been bummed every time it rains on this side of town.  The Galleria can be dry but closer to Katy it rains a lot.

This is the first time I have caught myself saying, "we need rain."

I know there will be a swarms of mosquitos following the next rain fall.   That is what patchoulli incense is good for.

We would only be able to water on certain days between certain times. If caught using the water outside of those times we could be fined. There were also rules that you couldn't wash down your driveways, cars etc. I think folks on well water may have been exempt.

Yup.... Plus side is that maybe you can find a shower buddy to help conserve.

Has the humidity gone below 80% yet?

The good side of this heat is that I do not have to depend on my clothes dryer as much.

you are one of those endangered muscles, that lives in Florida.

mid 70's and mid 80's.   Then El Nino hits and we're drowning the next 5 years.  Weather just has cycles always has, always will.

Someone mentioned "water credits"...I agree what the fuck are those?   If you like them..how about the "carbon credits" that are bartered?  Anybody figure out how you trade pollution?  Leave it to politicians to scam a buck from us.

I know one thing.  The air quality in Northern California is markedly better now than in the 70's so we're doing something right.

If my buddy ROSEMANN is reading this down in LA....he should keep that Bar-B-Que unlit and keep the smog down in the valley!

Never had a personal consumption usage restriction in terms of inside the home use but I would not be surprised to see that at some point.  Parts of Florida are literally burning and we are not getting our typical afternoon rain fall this season...

I lived on a small island in the Caribbean for many years, and the only water we had was the rainwater we collected on the roof and drained into a cistern under the house.  A year of drought meant real panic, never mind not watering the lawn ... there were no lawns!  Try that!

It's rarely changed the way I do things (bc I really don't use that much water.) My grandparents wouldn't refill the pool one year when I was a kid, but other than that, it hasn't been so bad. Don't let them sell you the dream of grey water. Grandpa tried that too, one summer. Ick. My grandma's azaleas all died.

Katie

They're already doing it:

I grew up in north Georgia (Cherokee County, for those from the area) and we constantly were dealing with either deficit or drought conditions. Car washing, lawn watering, etc. were mostly off-limits -- though I never had inside-the-home restrictions that I can recall.

I've moved to the Midwest and now live near a big lake, so it's a bit of a change for me. No such issues.

...and food rationing, and poop rationing, and litter rationing, and gun rationing, and brand name rationing...drugs and nudity are unlimited though.  At least they have their priorities straight.

When I'm at a hotel and have a lady spend the evening, I usually tell her that water rationing is in effect and that we will have to shower together to conserve.  Most times it does work.

As for real rationing, haven't experienced it.  Only when power was out for a couple days and thus water went low due to no power for the well pumps to refill the tanks/tower.

Like every summer!!

6 months a year your rainfaill totals about ONE INCH. That's near desert climate were it not for the 10 inches during winter. Most populated areas of the country receive 3 to 5 times that amount.

You have to import virtually all of your water.

I grew up in NCal during that late 70's drought.  What was it 3 years without ANY rain??  Either way, here is what the original poster may have to look foward to:

1.  Showering with buckets around your feet.  Use only biodegradeable soaps/shampoos.  Catch all water and re-use to water plants or possibly wash the car.
2.  Car washes are shut down.
3.  Always turn the tap off while doing ANYTHING (brushing teeth, washing dishes, etc.)  I still do this out of habit.
4.  Say goodbye to all landscaping.
5.  "If it's yellow, let it mellow.  If it's brown, flush it down."  Think about it.

It's not all bad though.  I hear a lot of adults turned to drinking copious amounts of wine to conserve on water

-- Modified on 6/4/2008 8:30:53 PM

Where water rationing was instated.  This was limited to outdoor water use such as watering lawns and filling swimming pools, and mother nature eventually relented (once by bringing something named Floyd) before such ratioining became mandatory on indoor usage.  You might wish to pose this question on the Atlanta board...they had a very severe drought last year, and restrictions were imposed...