Press Release-Water Utility Credit

July 10, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Markley, Superintendent, Coeur d’Alene Water Department, (208) 769-2210

CdA Water Department to Give Away Water Saving Devices at CdA Parks Day

The Coeur d’Alene Water Department and its conservation partner, Kootenai Environmental Alliance are going to celebrate the third year of their Utility Credit Program by donating water saving devices like rain sensors and hose bib timers for the prize drawing at the first annual CdA Parks Day celebration at Ramsey Park on Saturday July 12 from noon to three.

“The City of Coeur d’Alene is serious about water conservation,” said Jim Markley, Superintendent of the CdA Water Department. “We want our customers to have the opportunity to see these devices that will save our water while saving them money.”

Markley explained that when a customer purchases a $41.00 hose bib timer the Water Department will pick up 75% of the cost resulting in a $31 credit on the customer’s utility bill. A $105.00 wireless rain sensor would end up costing the customer only $30, a $31 wired rain sensor only $7.75 after the credit is applied to their utility bill.
The City is urging its customers to take the following easy steps to conserve water:

• take advantage of the utility credit program
• water lawns in the evening and morning hours
• don’t water streets and sidewalks
• water less frequently and more deeply, and
• consider replacing some of the lawn with vegetation that requires little water.

“If we reduce peak water use in the summer by 10%, the City may be able to postpone building a new well for at least three years. A new well costs about a million dollars,” concluded Markley.