Durham to hold water efficiency clinics over next two weekends

As Barry's noted at his place, water usage has hit some highs for the year this past weekend as temperatures have soared off the scale. It's another reminder -- as if we need any more after the recent drought crisis -- of how important it is to find ways to save water everyday.

Well, the City of Durham is out to help you do just that, with Water Efficiency Clinics set for the next two weekends. These clinics will be held at 10 am and again at 2 pm this Saturday, June 14 at the Patterson Place Home Depot, then again at the same times on June 21 at the North Pointe Home Depot.

For the sessions, the City's water-conservation partner Niagara Conservation Corp. -- which is under contract with Durham to run a conservation awareness program -- will give out free "I Save Water" kits.

Each kit contains a range of goodies that are estimated to save the average household up to $500 a year in water, sewer and energy costs: a water-saving showerhead, kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators, toilet tank diverter, toilet leak detection tablets, and a water conservation tip wheel.

Expect to learn practical tips on saving water, in addition to installation instructions for using the kit, during these half-hour sessions.

Comments

[John]

So what do we do if we notice that one of our neighbors has their front lawn sprinklers on full blast, oriented in such a way that 80% of the water is landing in the street? :P
Somehow I don't think that a person who is that oblivious/careless/disinterested is going to respond to a gentle reminder.

[Derek]

Assuming they are not watering at the designated times (Wednesdays & Saturdays, 5a-8a or 5p-8p, and only once a week not both times), report it to the city immediately by phone or online at http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/wm/water_report_form.cfm
I did this a couple times recently for an observed violation, and they did indeed contact the violator. If you report it every time, it might start racking up multiple warnings from the City and consequences with teeth. (Wishful thinking anyway.)

[Spencer Dempsey]

In addition to your citizen vigilance, rest assured in knowing that any violators of the Mandatory Water Restrictions will soon be paying for their reckless water consumption due to the impending implementation of the tiered-rate water system. At the very least, if they aren't fined by the City, they will be paying at the pump. Hmmm, sounds familiar. Maybe we should reduce our consumption of other liquid assets.

[Mike]

Actually Derek you can water on both days of the week but only one time period per day.

I sure wish it would rain soon as my rain barrels have finally gone dry(note to self increase barrel capacity).