News About Water Efficiency

• 12.14.11
  Critical Drainline Research Needs Your Help (PDF) –

  An important study on building drainline blockages is just short of funding it needs to move forward. Download and read the PDF

• 06.01.11
  LEED for Homes re-opens for public comment –

  The second period for public comment on LEED for Homes (LEED-H) will run from July 1 through Aug. 15, 2011. A projected release of revised LEED requirements is set for November 2012. According to ecohome magazine, "specific proposed changes to the LEED-H rating system include ...adding 10 new credits including those for trades training, WaterSense Homes certification, solar-ready rough-ins, and HRVs and ERVs."

• 04.29.11
  Prevent Costly Water Bills This Summer –

  A quick fix or minor update can prevent large water bills and wastage in the summer. In spite of increased snow pack and total precipitation in the Cheyenne, Wyo., the Board of Public Utilities advocates water conservation techniques for its residents. They are asking residents to locate leaks in their houses and consider upgrading their plumbing. According to the utility, running toilets, dripping faucets and other household leaks waste, on average, more than 10,000 gallons of water per home per year. Fixing these leaks will allow residents to lower their water bills and conserve the precious resource. Click here for tips on how to locate leaks and conserve water.

• 04.25.11
  Water for the Ages –

  How much water is used to create the foods we eat? If you are serious about water conservation, you may look to your diet for changes. As it takes more water to grow a cow than to grow corn, for example, the diets consisting of fresh vegetables and fruits use far less water than a carnivore diet. Visit "Water for the Ages" to check your water footprint and review a list of water totals for food.

• 04.20.11
  First LEED-certified building in Valdosta, Ga. –

  A new building at Veolia Evergreen Landfill, Inc. is the first LEED certified building constructed in Valdosta, Georgia. The Veolia building was designed and built to achieve certification through U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® Rating System™. Certification was based on a number of green features, including operating with 35% more water efficiency than a similar non-LEED building. Click here for a news release on the building and its conservation tactics.

• 04.18.11
  CA encourages residents to Be Water Wise –

  The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California shares a video with its Top Ten Tips for Saving Water. Other tips and tools for saving water - indoors and outdoors - also are listed on its website.

• 04.15.11
  Fast food restaurant turns green –

  A quick service restaurant chain that specializes in chicken menus is now going to the greener side of the food industry. The Chick-fil-A location in Fort Worth, Texas, is seeking a LEED certification from the U.S Green Building Council. Green features in the location include storm water collection for landscape irrigation, low-flow plumbing fixtures in the bathrooms and kitchen, and energy-efficient light system with light sensors. The fast food restaurant could save up to 14% on electric costs and 40% on water. Click here for more on the project.

• 04.11.11
  Water Conservation Tips for the Home –

  With water conservation efforts under way in parts of Oklahoma, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has compiled a list of water conservation tips for residents. According to DEQ: the most substantial reduction in personal water use can be made in the bathroom. Two-thirds of the water used in the average home is used in the bathroom, because many people take long showers or flush the toilet unnecessarily. Water conservation not only saves water, it saves energy used to heat the water.

• 03.24.11
  Florida’s Cooper City Uses 9% Less Water –

  Cooper City, Florida's "You Win-We All Win" conservation program has exceeded its original goal of 5% water reductions by the year 2013. As of Feb. 1, 2011, the city has realized a 9.26% water usage reduction, nearly double its original goal. The campaign had many phases, including a contest amongst homeowners associations to see which one could save the most water, and auditing the water usage of the largest water consumers to see how they could improve their habits. The final, ongoing phase targets residents and provides tips and solutions to improve their water savings. For the savings tips and more, please read the article in Environmental Protection.

• EVENT: March 20 - March 26, 2011
  When You Take Water, Give Water –

  For the fifth year, the award-winning UNICEF Tap Project coincides with World Water Week, March 20−26, and shines a spotlight on the world water crisis. During World Water Week, restaurants across the U.S. will encourage patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free. Just $1 raised through the UNICEF Tap Project can provide a child with safe water for 40 days. In tandem, UNICEF Tap Project Volunteers conduct local fundraising events and activities. Thanks to the commitment of 5,000 volunteers and 1,000 participating restaurants, and the launch of 500 local events and activities, the UNICEF Tap Project will continue to save the lives of children around the world.

• 03.17.11
  Sustainable twist on rural, Alabama farmhouse –

  EcoHome magazine showcases an Alabama custom home designed by Hinson+Dagg Architects with WaterSense-labeled toilets and faucets to help reduce water usage. The toilets alone are estimate to provide anual water savings of up to 16,500 gallons per toilet compared to traditional toilets.

• 03.15.11
  Living Green Week Emphasizes Water Conservation –

  Students at West Virginia University had the opportunity to learn more about "living green." The Student Government Association, SustainU and WECAN hosted events and an expo. "We really want to make students more aware of how easy these changes can be, such as filtering your water instead of drinking bottles or just taking shorter showers in the morning," said Isabelle Shepard, a student and host. For more on the events please click here.

• EVENT: March 14 - March 20, 2011
  Fix Leaks, Get Rewards in SoCal –

  It’s Fix a Leak Week at the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) in southern California. In honor of their 50th Anniversary, IRWD will offer a chance for customers to win up to $50 who locate and repair water leaks on their property. According to IRWD: Repairing a leaky toilet can save 30 to 50 gallons of water per day, while fixing a broken sprinkler can save up to 500 gallons per month for the average consumer. These savings translate into lower water bills and more conservation. On average, more than 10,000 gallons of water is wasted every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets and other household leaks. That equates to more water than a family of four uses in a month.

• 03.14.11
  Indoor Water Conservation –

  Five quick ways to reduce water use by 5 gallons a day for $5.00, plus other ways to conserve water for the bathroom, kitchen and laundry - from Nature's Voice Our Choice.

• 03.09.11
  AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust Promotes Green Building –

  The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT) is helping to finance a number of energy-efficient and water-efficient development projects registered to earn the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED®) certification. To date, the HIT has provided $274 million of financing for 11 projects that have received or are expected to receive LEED designation. The projects have created 1,653 housing units and approximately 4,100 union construction jobs, while leveraging more than $660 million of development activity for communities in Minnesota, California, New York and Massachusetts. Please read the news release for more information.

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