Fresno, CA, April 30, 2015 – With the current drought conditions, USGBC Central California challenges residential water users to be the change to reduce water usage. USGBC Central California announces the Summer 2015 Water Conservation Challenge to encourage residential water users to use their creativity to do their part to conserve water during the present drought and beyond. Metered residential water users in Fresno, Madera, Merced, Mariposa, Kern, Kings, Tulare, Mono and Inyo counties who reduce their water usage between 2014 and 2015 by at least 25% are eligible to participate. Residents must submit their water bills from 2015 and 2014 which contain at least 15 days for the month of July. The gallons for each cycle must be indicated on the documents. The winners will be determined by the greatest percentage decrease from 2014 to 2015. Last day to submit the water bills is August 31st, 2015.
“Water conservation is an essential element of green building and is especially relevant in California,” says Laura Gromis, Executive Director of USGBC Central California. “Our current drought situation requires everybody to be water smart this summer. With water being the central resource management challenge in Central California, this crisis provides the opportunity to make lasting changes to make our region more resilient to changing precipitation patterns.” USGBC Central California provides a vast amount of resources on its water conservation portal at www.usgbccc.org/waterconservation to help residents with their efforts to be part of the change. USGBC Central California has developed an overview of water conservation requirements and rebates provided by local water districts which will be updated throughout the summer. Additionally, the water conservation portal hosts links to relevant resources about water conservation, irrigation efficiency and climate appropriate landscaping.
“I am excited to participate in the Summer 2015 Water Conservation Challenge. This will be a fun competition to be part of,” says Kingsburg resident Stan Ruiz. “I wanted to do the right thing to help conserve water and took out all my front and back lawn and replaced it with climate appropriate plants, drip irrigation and 4 to 5 inches of wood chips. After the roots established I reduced the water supply by another 30% and it looks great. So far I have saved more than 50% in comparison to the same month of last year’s water usage.” Ruiz has done most of the work himself and did not spend more than $1,200 on his project. “I am just an average guy who loves to work in his garden and make it pretty”, says Ruiz. “If I can save this much, everybody can. The challenge is on.” This is just one example of individual residential impacts that the USGBC is looking to highlight through the challenge of increasing water efficiency, conservation and sustainability.
More info at www.usgbccc.org/waterconservation.
