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2008 Nanoose Peninusla

WATER CONSERVATION CHALLENGE

Sponsored by:
 

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Fairwinds 2008 Water Conservation Challenge

The challenge runs from May 15 to Sept 15, 2008.
Congratulations to the prize Winners:
  Jim & Bev Watson who won Rain barrel and attachments
  Mel & Carolynne Spotswood who won Sea Soil & Aquafirst soil amendment
  Giselle Roeder & Trevor Cradduck who won Irrigation controller
  Caroline & Ferenc Tar who won Irrigation weather station
  Harold Fox who won Rain barrel and attachments
  Joe & Pam Straka who won Consultation with a landscape architect
       
Reduction in water consumption by percentage ranged from 21% to 65% and by volume ranged from 57 to 195 cubic metres.

Collectively, the winners reduced consumption this summer compared to last by 543 cubic metres, equal to 119,460 gallons or 542,000 litres.   This volume would supply a household of 5 people with water for 18 months.

How did they achieve such great results?  Here are a few of the methods:

bulletOptimized irrigation system run times, cleaned heads, repaired leaks, used a rain guage to check water volume, installed drip irrigation, added a rain sensor, directed irrigation to shrubs instead of everywhere, fixed leaks in irrigation system.
bulletPlanted native ferns and grasees, removed part of the lawn, added bark mulch to conserve soil moisture.
bulletHooked up a 6000 litre cistern to water the garden, added one or more rain barrels.
bulletInstalled low flush or dual flush toilets, used Code Blue dye tablets to check for leaks.
bulletRan dishwasher only when it was full
bulletShut off water when shaving, brushing teeth
bulletShut off or reduced shower water when lathering, 3 minute showers
bulletIt it's yellow ------
 
Thanks to the following businesses for their donation of prizes:
bulletAquafirst Technologies, Victoria
bulletElJay Irrigation Ltd., Victoria
bulletFairwinds Resort, Nanoose Bay
bulletIritex Pumps & Irrigation, Parksville
bulletLanarc Consultants Ltd., Nanaimo
bulletSea Soil Ltd.,
 

 

FUN FACTS:

HOW MUCH WATER DOES IT TAKE TO:
  Flush the toilet - 4-6 gallons
  Wash the dishes - 6-12 gallons
  Take a shower - 25-30 gallons
  Take a bath - 30-40 gallons
  Wash clothes - 30-50 gallons per load
  Wash the car - 60 gallons
  Water the lawn - 100-200 gallons
     
  Produce 1 Sunday newspaper- 150 gallons
  Grow 1 cup of spinach - 20 gallons
  Grow 1 orange - 22 gallons
  Produce 1 serving of rice - 25 gallons
  Grow 6 ounces of grapes - 26 gallons
  Grow 1 ear of corn - 61 gallons
  Grow 1 serving of watermelon - 75 gallons
  Produce 1 egg - 120 gallons
  Produce wheat for 2 lb of bread - 1,000 gallons
  Grow one day of food for 4 people - 6,800 gallons
  Water needed to produce 1 hamburger - 698 1/2 gallons
  Process 1 barrel of beer - 1,500 gallons
  Produce 1 pair of blue jeans - 1,800 gallons
  Manufacture a new car - 39,000 gallons
  Water used for Valentine's Day roses - 7 million gallons