Earn .5 CEUs at workshop: Tools & Techniques to Meet Your Water Use Efficiency Goals

Water suppliers are required by the Water Use Efficiency Rule to set goals and evaluate or choose measures to help them meet those goals. But which measures will work best for you? How much will they cost? How do you calculate how much water will be saved?  PWC is offering this workshop to answer these questions and much more.  This workshop will be offered on June 25 in Everett and June 26 in Lacey. This is a hands-on workshop that will offer tools and templates to help you choose the measures that will meet your needs. Participants who complete the entire workshop can receive .5 CEUs.

Keynote speaker is Beau Schilz from PACE Engineers. Other speakers include: Mike Dexel - DOH Office of Drinking Water, Jenna Smith - Seattle Public Utilities & Aimee' Brown - PECI. Cost is $50 for PWC members and $65 for nonmembers.  Click here for a registration form and agenda or call (206) 957-2199.

Natalie Duncan is PWC's Water Conservation Specialist

In February the Partnership for Water Conservation signed a two-year contract with the Nisqually River Foundation to provide water conservation planning and education in the Nisqually River Watershed.  This is an exciting undertaking for both PWC and NRF.  On May 1st Natalie Duncan was hired as PWC's new Water Conservation Specialist. For her first project Natalie will be working with the Town of Eatonville on their conservation plan. PWC will use the result as a template to help small water suppliers comply with the WUE Rule.  We are excited to have Natalie with us and you will be able to read more when our latest eNewsletter comes out.

Smart "ET" Controllers Of Big Interest to Show Goers

Homeowners with automatic sprinkler systems can significantly reduce their water consumption (by up to 50%!) with the installation of a Smart Controller. Smart (also know as Weather-based or ET) controllers are a new and effective technology that use weather data and site information to adjust watering times and frequency. Standard timers simply turn on at set intervals. Smart controllers save water by watering zones only when water is needed. Installation by a certified landscape professional is highly recommended since initial installation and set-up generally require a knowledge of soils, precipitation rates, slope measurements, and the water regime of the plants in each zone. Smart controllers use various technologies. Some use sensors located in your own yard. Others access weather from local weather stations. Costs vary and are in the $300 to $500 range, plus installation. For information on the unit presented at the garden show click here or contact Larry Zimmer at InHarmony Sustainable Landscapes. To find out more information about Smart Controllers and other outdoor water conservation information check out our Conservation Tips or Resource Library.

Local Utilities offer Rebates on Smart Controllers

Homeowners who receive their water through local water suppliers in King County may be eligible to receive a rebate when they install or upgrade to a Smart Controller. Rebates are being offered through the Saving Water Partnership and Cascade Water Alliance. To find out if your water utility is providing a rebate click here.

PWC/WSNLA Garden Wins Top Awards at NW Flower & Garden Show

We were excited to learn that our display garden, designed by Janine Anderson CPH, and Terry LeLievre of Anderson-LeLievre Design Group, was presented with three top awards at this year's NW Flower & Garden Show:

• Founder's Cup - for the most overall meritorious exhibit. This is the "best in show" award.
• Sunset's Western Living® Award - presented to the garden most filled with fresh, useful, achievable ideas that enhance outdoor living in the West. Judged by Sunset editors.
• A Gold Medal for garden design

PWC partnered with the Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association (WSNLA), to present a garden that was sustainable and water friendly.  Photos from our garden: Garden, Garden, Smart Controller Display, Water Feature from roof water.

DOH Provides WUE Guidebook

After many years of hard work the Washington State Dept. of Health adopted the Water Use Efficiency Rule on January 22, 2007. For infomation on the final rule click here. You'll find a copy of the Rule, a new Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) sheet and the new guidebook to help waters suppliers implement the rule.