INC NEWS - Durham Provides Simple Steps for a Water-Conscious Winter Season

[Blalock, Amy]

CITY OF DURHAM

Office of Public Affairs

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, NC 27701

 

 

Educational Article

 

For Details, Contact:

Beverly B. Thompson

Public Affairs Director

(919) 560-4123 x 229

(919) 475-2362 (cell)

Beverly.Thompson at durhamnc.gov <mailto:Beverly.Thompson at durhamnc.gov> 

 

For Immediate Release:  November 20, 2008

 

Simple Steps for a Water-Conscious Winter Season

City of Durham Promotes Holiday Water Conservation Tips for Year-Round
Benefits

 

Durham, N.C. - The holidays are an exciting time of year for most
households. This winter, the City of Durham encourages residents to "go
green" this holiday season by purchasing gifts and implementing a few
simple practices at home to conserve Durham's water supplies and
preserve your budget. 


Here are some ideas to save money and water while enjoying this time of
year:

 

1.    High-efficiency toilets (HET) are water savers that have an
impact-easily saving up to 1,200 gallons a month. The City of Durham is
currently offering a $100 toilet rebate/credit for HET
purchases/installations made on or after January 1, 2008. Visit 
www.durhamsaveswater.org <http://www.durhamsaveswater.org/>  to learn
how to qualify. 

 

2.    Consider purchasing a front-load ENERGY STAR(r) washer for your
family or a loved one. Front-loading washers may cost a bit more than
standard models, but they are more water- and energy-efficient.  ENERGY
STAR qualified washers can help lower your utility bills, save energy,
and save water by as much as 30 percent. Plus, the increased capacity
means fewer loads of laundry.

 

3.    Take advantage of special discounts and rebates on water-efficient
dishwashers offered during the holiday season.  A new, water-efficient
model can save 1,200 gallons of water a year and help reduce utility
costs.  And, remember to use your clothes washer and dishwasher only
when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.

4.    Water-efficient showerheads provide amazing savings and make great
stocking stuffers.  Replace your older showerhead with a high quality
1.5 GPM model, available at the Cashiering Counter at City Hall for only
$3.  A family of four can save up to 2,000 gallons of water monthly.

 

5.    While preparing holiday meals, defrost frozen items in the
refrigerator, not under running water. 

 

6.    When washing dishes, keep dishwashing liquid use to a minimum to
reduce the amount of rinse water needed.  If using a dishwasher, scrape
dishes before placing them in the dishwasher instead of pre-rinsing
them.

 

7.    Do not run the kitchen faucet continuously while washing dishes.
Use one sink for washing and another, or a separate tub, for rinsing. 

 

8.    Compost appropriate food scraps from your holiday meals instead of
running garbage disposals.

 

9.    Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to
prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.  Also, keep an eye on leaks and
make needed repairs indoors and outdoors.

 

10.  Adjust your lawn watering schedule to the winter season. Water your
lawn once every five days or only when needed.  Bermuda grasses are
dormant (brown) in the winter and only require water once every three to
four weeks or less if it rains.

 

Since July 2008, the City of Durham has been implementing a new tiered
water rate system that encourages residents to efficiently use water.
With the new rate structure, the less water you use, the lower your
rate, the more money you save for everyday needs, and the better we
protect Durham.

 

Give back to the environment and reward yourself with money savings
during this holiday season and all year long. For 111 simple,
money-saving tips, including a new online bill calculator, visit 
www.DurhamSavesWater.org <http://www.durhamsaveswater.org/> . 

 

Also find more information on Facebook
<http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Durham-NC/Durham-Saves-Water/34
570133940> , YouTube <http://www.youtube.com/DurhamSavesWaterNow> , and 
MySpace <http://www.myspace.com/durhamsaveswater.now>  using search
keywords "Durham Saves Water" or subscribe to RSS feeds on 
http://durhamsaveswater.blogspot.com
<http://durhamsaveswater.blogspot.com/>  or 
http://www.twitter.com/durhamwater.

 

Courtesy of the City of Durham Department of Water Management

________________________________

NOTE TO EDITORS/JOURNALISTS: 
Every drop of water is essential to our day-to-day life and Durham's
economic and environmental sustainability.  Help the City of Durham
educate residents on the simple, everyday actions they can do to
conserve water, protect Durham's water reserves, and preserve our way of
life.   

 

For more information on the City of Durham's Water Conservation program
or interview opportunities, please contact: 

 

Vicki Westbrook

Deputy Director/Program Spokesperson

City of Durham Department of Water Management 

Office: 919-560-4381 ext 266 

Cell: 919-632-3122

Vicki.Westbrook at durhamnc.gov

 

###

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.deltaforce.net/mailman/private/inc-list/attachments/20081120/f7be4415/attachment-0001.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 3058 bytes
Desc: image003.jpg
URL: <http://lists.deltaforce.net/mailman/private/inc-list/attachments/20081120/f7be4415/attachment-0001.jpeg>