NewsLeak

According to a report in the Houston Chronicle, the amount of water consumed in the Houston area has increased in the week after city Mayor Annise Parker announced mandatory conservation policies.

The mandate went into effect on August 15, however, the city has used more than the month's daily average since then. In fact, the highest level of pumping during August, during which 660 million gallons of water were used each day, occurred three days after the restrictions became mandatory.

Mayoral spokeswoman Janice Evans told the news source that she is unsure if "we can gauge the success or failure" of the water conservation efforts after just one week. However, she points to the increased number of calls requesting information about the restrictions as a good sign.

"It's clear people are trying to figure out what they need to do and how to do it," Evans told the news source.

Any resident caught violating the city's water mandates, which includes restricted times for lawn watering, will receive a first offense and then fines of $150 for subsequent violations.

The region's water supply has been reduced significantly as a heat wave ravaged the region and a prolonged drought has taken place during the summer.

According to a report in the Mokena Patch, the Illinois town will have a Water Conservation Day on Thursday, August 25, to show the importance of preserving the region's water levels.

The village has taken its conservation efforts seriously, as increased temperatures have led to greater consumption, which is rapidly reducing local water levels.

According to Mayor Joe Werner, several local water companies have promoted conservation efforts, and hosting a day to celebrate the efforts should prove effective.

"It's a one-time investment, that has a lifetime of conservation attached to it," Werner said. "If you can buy a toilet or a faucet that will automatically use less water by its design, there's the easiest way to increase conservation. If 10 or 15 percent of our public did that, it would be like the recycling movement."

Residents in the village must abide by conservation policies during the day and focus on preserving as much water as possible.

One company will provide a 40-foot-by-20-foot tour bus that will feature working demonstrations, free food and drinks and raffles as part of the festivities.