Riley strives to be net-zero water user

The Associated Press
Lawrence, KS

Fort Riley has been chosen as one of several U.S. Army sites with the goal of returning every drop of water it draws back to the watershed by the year 2020.

Fort Riley was among six out of 23 applications that the U.S. Army chose last week for the net-zero water project.

The Army didn't give many details on what a net-zero post would look like at Fort Riley. However, an e-mail from Army spokesman David Foster said possible tools Fort Riley could use to reach the 2020 goal include reusing gray water, which is wastewater from bathtubs, showers, sinks, washing machines and dishwashers; building low-impact development; and using more-efficient appliances and machinery.

The hope is that Fort Riley and the other military installations participating in the project will become centers of environmental and energy excellence, showcasing best management practices.

Fort Riley spokesman Eric Zenk said more specifics about the program will be discussed this summer. The Army says public participation will be part of the process.