College hoping to tap underground water

August 11, 2011

Howard College officials believe they've found a way to deal with the severe drought, and the answer is literally below their feet.

Trustees will consider a proposal to drill up to six water wells on the Big Spring campus when they hold a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. Friday in the Student Union Building Tumbleweed Room.

Like residents and commercial entities around town, the college is finding ways to reduce its consumption of city water by 20 percent as area water supplies continue to dry up in the lingering drought. And they believe water wells may just be the answer.

College President Dr. Cheryl Sparks said this possible action was not the college's way of thumbing its nose at the water restrictions.

“We're not doing this just so the college can water its lawns and turn the campus into some kind of lush oasis,” Sparks said. “This is just to help us comply with the water restrictions.”

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