Primetime Newspapers

By Calvin Finch, PhD, SAWS Conservation Director, and Horticulturist

Week of July 19, 2004

SEASON TO SAVE COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

            San Antonio has been very successful in meeting our water conservation goals. So successful that the Texas Water Conservation Association recognized the whole City of San Antonio as Texas Water Conservationist of the Year in 2003—2004. The National Association of Environmental Professionals also noted the success by awarding SAWS their President’s Award as the nation’s most outstanding environmental program 2004. A key part of the reason for the awards is the Season to Save Community Challenge program. It saves water but it is also a great way for neighborhoods, youth organizations and other non-profit groups to raise funds for worthy projects. In the spring of 2004, 50 non-profit groups split up $98,000 for sports equipment, neighborhood clubhouse repairs, class trips, and other projects.

            Training for the 2005 effort begins in August, so it is time to get organized if you want to participate. Here is how it works.

 

1.      Come to a training workshop to learn program rules.

2.      Help us find SAWS customers who need to replace older, less efficient toilets.

3.      Encourage customers who qualify to come to our distribution event to pick up their free toilet(s).

4.      Receive $25 for each pre-qualified toilet picked up on the distribution day.

 

            The 2004 WaterSaver Awards recognized some of the most successful Community Challenge groups. Here is an account of their water conservation accomplishments. These groups were awarded between $500 and $5000 in addition to contributing to the San Antonio water conservation goals. For more information visit the SAWS website at www.saws.org  or call Eddie Wilcut  or Janie Guzman at 704-7354.

My Friend’s House Christian Fellowship – My Friend’s House Christian Fellowship emerged as a top community leader in the 2003 Season to Save Community Challenge. As a direct result of their efforts, 762 high-efficiency toilets were distributed to qualified San Antonio Water System residential customers. When completed, these retrofits will result in a water savings in excess of eight million gallons per year.

Valencia Neighborhood Association – The Valencia Neighborhood Association also emerged as a top community leader in the 2003 Season to Save Community Challenge. As a direct result of their efforts, 608 high-efficiency toilets were distributed to qualified San Antonio Water System residential customers. When completed, these retrofits will result in water savings in excess of six million gallons per year.

Skyline Neighborhood Association – The Skyline Neighborhood Association successfully enlisted the support and involvement of their surrounding community during the 2003 Season to Save Community Challenge. As a direct result of their efforts, 254 high-efficiency toilets were distributed to qualified San Antonio Water System residential customers. When completed, these retrofits will result in water savings of approximately three million gallons per year.

The Madonna Center and Southwest Research Institute Volunteers – The accomplishments for this award are two-fold. First, the Madonna Center employed a very unique approach to the 2003 Season to Save Community Challenge. They not only signed up elderly members of the community to receive new ADA compliant toilets, they also went the extra mile by installing them as well. As a result, the Madonna Center was not only successful in reducing water consumption by more than a half million gallons per year, they also earned extra incentives by reducing water use by an impressive 32 percent during the month of June.

University Oaks Homeowners Association and Boy Scout Troop 777 – The accomplishments for this award are two-fold as well. First, the University Oaks Homeowners Association was successful in helping to distribute 75 high-efficiency toilets to qualified SAWS customers as part of the 2003 Season to Save Community Challenge. Secondly, the University Oaks Homeowners Association and Boy Scout Troop 777 partnered in promoting proper landscape practices by incorporating drought tolerant landscape into the association’s playground and clubhouse area. Annual water savings exceed one million gallons per year.