Catlin Gabel School Receives Water Hero Award

To recognize successful water conservation and efficiency efforts, TVWD awarded our first Water Hero Award to Catlin Gabel School. Over the past six years, Catlin Gabel has sustained an average 44% less water use than their 2002-2004 average. This is in addition to significant reduction in consumption in ‘02-’04 compared to the five years prior. In 2000, water use peaked at 7.3 million gallons per year. By 2010, the school used just 1.5 million gallons, which at current rates values equates to a savings of $19,313.

Local Church Reduces Water Use By 70%

West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (WHUUF)  was originally constructed in 1960 with additions made in 1965 and 1985.  The existing water fixtures in the Church were far below today’s standard for efficiency. Toilets were using as much as 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) and were likely the source of difficult to detect “silent” leaks. Faucets were flowing at a rate of at least 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm).

By taking advantage of TVWD’s toilet rebate program, WHUUF received $690 toward the purchase of five 1.28 gpf, High Efficiency Toilets (HET) and two 1.6 gpf. By participating in the toilet rebate program, WHUUF was also provided with twelve 0.5 gallons per minute (gpm) hand washing faucet aerators and two 1.5 gpm kitchen aerators free of charge.

While results have been dramatic and greater than what is typically realized, we are pleased to report that WHUUF has used 70% less water in the past year since they installed the new fixtures.  That’s a reduction of 182 CCF and a savings of $718.90 in water and sewer expenses for one year! The combined savings and benefits from the toilet rebate program in this case made the simple return on investment less than one year!