Water-wise learning

OGDEN — So, here's the problem: You have a state in the midst of a severe drought, but you just can't get the residents to conserve. You push and prod and lecture and harangue, but they still put too much water on their lawns and leave the water running while they're shaving. Water administrators everywhere are pulling their hair out in frustration.

Well, almost everywhere.

The folks in charge of water in Weber County have found a way to make people conserve, and it turns out to be exceedingly simple:

Sic the kids on 'em.

Various entities — Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, Weber County Storm Water Management, Weber County Soil Conservation District and Utah State University extension — have come up with the idea of a gathering where they educate children on all aspects of water: clouds, sedimentation, the water cycle, water treatment, wildlife and — especially — conservation.

More than 1,500 fourth-graders were expected to attend the two-day "water fair," which ended Friday at the Weber County Fairgrounds.

"Kids pass on things they learn at school," said George Burbidge, director of Weber County Storm Water Management. "They cruise by (their parents) and share these little nuggets of knowledge. They become little policemen."

In other words, the next time you water the lawn in the middle of the day, expect to be called on the carpet by your 10-year-old.

Fourth-grade children were chosen because that year's curriculum includes learning about water. And, perhaps, because they don't shy away from bossing their folks.

"These kids are going to go home and tell their parents," said Dave Francis with USU extension. "They're going to start doing the little things, like turning the water off when they're brushing their teeth."

Organizers are enthusiastically helping the students take the lead in their families. In addition to things like brochures and coloring books and refrigerator magnets, all the children attending the water fair get a slip of paper with pictures of bugs on it saying, "Don't forget to 'bug' your parents!"

Subtle? Perhaps not. Effective? Oh yeah.

The water fair is the first of what organizers hope becomes an annual event. The current drought provided special incentive this year but, Utah being a desert state with high growth rates, conservation will become ever more important in the future. Organizers also think water districts in other areas of the state might pick up on the idea.

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