For immediate release: April 9, 2010
Media Contact: Ingrid Melle, Public Information Office 623.333.1614
Avondale Celebrates Water Awareness Month, announces Water Conservation Rebate Programs and Free Landscape Classes
Water Awareness Month provides a great opportunity to enhance the “culture of conservation” in Arizona by focusing on ways we can all be better water stewards. This year’s message – plants don’t waste water, people do – reminds us all about the importance of using water efficiently outdoors. Reducing water use helps meet future needs, results in cost savings, decreases energy use, and helps preserve the environment.
The Avondale Water Division and Arizona Department of Water Resources ask you to do your part in learning, celebrating and taking action to save water. To celebrate and promote Water Awareness Month, Avondale is encouraging all to take the initiative to be more water conservation savvy with some affordable means of conservation, using new water conservation rebates programs and free landscape classes.
Non-Residential Water Customers - Landscape Conversions Rebate
This program offers rebates starting at $200 per 1,000 square feet of turf converted to low-water use landscape up to a maximum of $3,000. This Rebate Program encourages installation of low-water-use, drought-tolerant plants (Xeriscape), thereby creating a reduction in the amount of water applied to landscapes.
“Smart” Irrigation Controller Rebate
Rebates of $200 are available to Non-Residential Water Customers that install Smart Irrigation Controllers. Smart Irrigation Controllers provide the appropriate watering schedule for the landscape automatically making adjustments up to 365 times per year by using current weather data and information about site conditions (such as soil moisture, rain, wind, slope, soil, plant type, and more), and apply the right amount of water to the landscape based on those factors. Studies show most landscape water use can be reduced by as much as 30 percent with the use of a smart controller.
High-Efficiency Clothes Washers Rebate
High-efficiency washers use 40% less water than standard top loading models saving over $400 over the lifetime of the appliance. Customers who purchase and install an approved high-efficiency front-loading clothes washer can qualify for a $100 rebate and also qualify for a State rebate of up to $200. Washer must have received an Energy Star High-Efficiency Rating and have a water factor (WF) of 6 or less as established by the Consortium of Energy Efficiency. A listing of washers meeting these requirements is available at http://www.cee1.org/ .
Free Landscape Classes
Avondale also offers it popular series of free workshops aimed at promoting Xeriscape – low-water use gardening. Classes are open to the public at no cost. Classes are hosted at various locations throughout Avondale.
Pruning Basics: Trees and shrubs are the most important living elements of your landscape. Learn the what, why and how of pruning your plants to maintain their health and growth.
Date: Saturday, April 24, 2010
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 1p.m.
Location: Avondale Civic Center Library, 11350 W. Civic Center Drive
Trees and Shrubs: From feathery-leaved acacias to bright-flowered desert willows, tough-as-nails mesquites to silvery Texas rangers, homeowners can create an attractive, low water use landscape with these and various woody plants.
Date: Saturday, May 8, 2010
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 1p.m.
Location: Avondale Civic Center Library, 11350 W. Civic Center Drive
Earth Friendly Backyard –Rainwater Harvesting: Find out how plants can reduce your energy and water bill, get rid of unwanted grass, direct thousands of gallons of rain water to your plants each year, and turn your kitchen waste into healthy soil.
Date: Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Time: 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Avondale City Hall – Sonoran Room, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive
To learn more about rebates, water conservation programs, or additional information on how to design water and maintain a beautiful and water-efficient visit the following websites www.azwater.gov/conservation ; www.avondale.watersavingplants.com and to register for classes contact Esmie Avila at (623) 333-4422 or eavila@avondale.org