Local Businesses Catch the Wave
Free Commercial Audits and Plumbing Retrofits by PAWSD Result in Water Savings
New water-efficient toilets, urinals, faucet aerators and showerheads are being delivered to and installed in local businesses – at no cost to the businesses - as the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District implements a component of its “Catch the Wave and Save” Water Conservation Plan. This visit from the “porcelain Santa” is made possible by a $48,700 grant the District received from the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) late last year.
The PAWSD’s Water Conservation Plan was revised in 2008 after the District received a $25,150 grant from the CWCB. The revised Plan contained several new programs and measures, one of which was to conduct commercial audits each year to help individual business owners understand their normal water use patterns and behaviors. For the pilot program, sixteen local commercial businesses, including the Chamber of Commerce, Ruby Sisson Library and the Pagosa Lakes Recreation Center, were asked to participate. These businesses were identified by PAWSD staff based on the potential for water savings due to high water use and based on the high traffic these establishments experience, which increases the potential for public exposure to the water conservation education component of the program.
During the audit process, all water using devices are examined for efficiency. The flow rates of showers, toilets, and faucets are measured to help determine the water savings that may be achieved. Other fixtures such as ice machines, laundry facilities, dish washers, and water heaters are also examined so as to provide a full picture of the overall water and energy use within a given facility.
The results of the audit are provided to the business owner with recommendations for adjustments, corrections, and anticipated water, energy, and dollar savings. In addition, the business owner receives educational materials, signage and a PAWSD certification of water efficiency once improvements have been made. This certificate can serve as a mechanism for “green” business promotion. Ming Steen, Manager of the Pagosa Lakes Recreation Center, expressed her delight with the audit, exclaiming she was “tickled pink to get free water efficient fixtures that will save water and lower the monthly water bill.”
This year, the CWCB grant also provided funding to purchase and retrofit existing plumbing with water efficient appurtenances. After soliciting bids, PAWSD awarded the plumbing contract to Pagosa Rooter. The retrofits will begin in March 2010 and continue through April.
Tracy Bouvette of Great Western Institute is working with Conservation Coordinator Mat deGraaf on this project, assisting with the commercial audits and showerhead and faucet aerator installations. Mr. Bouvette is also working with the State on its State Water Supply Initiative – Phase 2 analysis to determine how state water conservation funds can be directed most effectively for maximum water savings. He commented about the commercial audits, “The District is a model for where the State is going with its water conservation programming.”
PAWSD anticipates a significant amount of water, energy and money savings from this commercial audit and retrofit pilot program, the results of which will be monitored and presented to each participating business at the year’s end. The District will also use the results to apply for further grants in order to continue expanding the program throughout the community. Commercial property owners interested in participating in the next “round” of commercial audits should contact Mat deGraaf at 731-2691. Residential customers interested in saving water with water efficient fixtures should contact Mat regarding the High Efficiency Toilet and High Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate Program. Further information on water conservation may also be found on the Water Conservation website at www.catchthewaveandsave.com.
