Appreciate water conservation

The Spokane River has always given life to the city of Spokane. The river and its falls are the reason Spokane was originally settled. It provided a natural gathering place for all people. The power generated by its flow was a key in its early days.

Today, it is important much more for the beautification of our city, the tourists it attracts, the recreation it offers boaters and campers, the redband trout that spawn in it, the salmon that one day will return to it, and for our daily pleasure.

I am thankful for the H2know campaign’s water conservation message, and I hope the city of Spokane will ramp up its effort to “Slow the Flow,” and demonstrate its seriousness by changing the water rates to reflect conservation goals.

Let the water conservation naysayers actually take some time to study the river-aquifer connection, the details of the city’s (including businesses’ and citizens’) use of water, and the irrefutable interdependence between Spokane and its river. Perhaps they will better understand the value of low-flow toilets, shorter showers, and lawns of lighter green and brown, especially in a time of drought.

Thomas Soeldner

Valleyford