Colorado WaterWise News

Call for Water Conservation Best Practice Case Studies

Mon, 14 May 2012 18:04:39 GMT

Colorado WaterWise is announcing a call for case studies and model ordinances to add to the online Water Conservation Best Practices Guide section on www.coloradowaterwise.org. Share your success stories with fellow Colorado WaterWise members and learn how Best Practices are creating results! Please submit:

1. Study or Ordinance Title

2. A couple of sentences describing the study or ordinance

3. PDF of study summary and associated files (lower resolution desired) with files named as you want to see them on the website

4. Send to laura.wing@cityofthornton.net.

Your submissions will be posted in the Member-only section of our website, in the Best Practice Guide section. You will need to log in to see the Member-only section. Not a member? To join or renew, click Membership .

Case studies and ordinances will be showcased under the relevant Best Practice:

BP1: Metering, Rates, Tap Fees, Billing System

BP2. Integrated Resources Planning

BP3: System Water Loss Control

BP4: Conservation Coordinator

BP5: Water Waste Ordinance

BP6: Public Information and Education

BP7: Landscape Water Budgets

BP8: Rules for Landscape Design

BP9: Landscape Design, Installation, Maint.

BP10: Irrigation Efficiency Evaluations

BP11: Rules for New Construction

BP12: Fixture Replacement - Residential and Non-Residential

BP13: Water Surveys - Residential

BP14: Water Surveys - Non-Residential

Australian Savewater Alliance Visits Denver Water

Laura Wing — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:26:00 GMT

On March 15, 2012, Liz Gardener welcomed Nigel Finney from the Savewater Alliance and Tony Campbell from Yarra Valley Water to share ideas with Denver Water and other area water providers. The Savewater Alliance is a Not-for-Profit group that promotes water conservation for Australian water providers in progressive and creative ways. Check out their website at http://www.savewater.com.au.

Presentation: Savewater Alliance Powerpoint

Creative TV Spots:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQZs9mlmHQs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_GoQG2D0Qs

Interactive Games:

http://www.savewater.com.au/games

Colorado WaterWise if pleased to announce the Spring Newsletter

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:02:49 GMT

Click to download: 2012spring.pdf

In this issue you will find:

Celebrating Water 2012
An interview with Tom Cech, Director of One World One Water
A Journey Through Time-the Ancient city of Petra
Commodes into Roads-Toilet Recycling

Fix A Leak Week is Coming! Are you participating? If so, let us and EPA know how!

Frank Kinder — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:10:42 GMT

http://www.epa.gov/watersense/our_water/fix_a_leak.html

Every Drop Counts

Did you know that an American home can waste, on average, more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks?

Nationwide, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year. That's why WaterSense reminds Americans to check their plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems each year during Fix a Leak Week.

Planning for Sustainability: A Handbook for Water and Wastewater Utilities

Frank Kinder — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:07:29 GMT

Planning for Sustainability: A Handbook for Water and Wastewater Utilities
http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/sustain/upload/EPA-Planning-for-Sustainability-Handbook.pdf?CFID=7370224&CFTOKEN=11135368

Issued by EPA, this handbook will help utilities ensure that water infrastructure projects across the nation, including those funded through the state revolving fund programs, are sustainable and support the long-term sustainability of the communities these utilities serve. The handbook describes four core elements where utilities can explicitly build sustainability considerations into their existing planning processes. Each element contains relevant examples from utilities around the country and other implementation tips for utilities to consider.

Green Urban Development Report No3 by Skanska

Frank Kinder — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:59:53 GMT

Curious about the international perspective on Water Use and Efficiency? Skanska has released The Water Challenge: less misuse, more reuse. It provides insight into issues, techniques, solutions, and complications behind improve our efficiency and water systems. http://issuu.com/skanska/docs/skanska-green-urban-development-report-no-3

USGBC Seeking Temporary Coordinator Position

Brenda O'Brien — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:14:37 GMT

USGBC Colorado Coordinator

The U.S. Green Building Council Colorado Chapter (USGBC Colorado) seeks applicants for a temporary full time position to coordinate a range of programs, and to provide staff support to organization volunteers and Chapter members. This position will be based at our headquarters in Denver, CO and may require travel to local communities around the state. Reports to Executive Director and the Director of Advocacy. This is a full-time, temporary position expected to last through May.

General Administrative Support (approx. 35%)

• Provide administrative support to Executive Director and staff, including responding to phone and email messages, and other tasks related to the smooth operation of the Chapter office.

• Provide administrative support to various Chapter committees and workgroups.

• Work with staff & volunteers to maintain website, including updating content, & supporting branches & volunteers in maintaining web pages.

• Manager and provide customer service to individuals contacting the Chapter, purchasing publications, and registering for programs and events over the phone and via the web-based registration and ecommerce store

• Other administrative duties as assigned

Committee & Volunteer Support (approx 35%)

• Support volunteers and staff in coordinating programs, events, workshops, and other activities related to the Chapter’s mission – including posting event registration on the website, and including information about events in regular communications.

• Work with staff and volunteers to ensure quality of local programming, consistency of communications and marketing efforts, and other central Chapter functions and resources.

• Work with staff & volunteers to publish bi-monthly Chapter newsletter, including the planning of content, editing submissions, and publishing newsletter to website.

• Other duties as assigned

Coordination of Chapter Programs (approx 30%)

• Coordinate LEED Workshops in Colorado, including marketing, logistics, and post-workshop reconciliation

• Coordinate and support additional Chapter Programs, including Exam Prep Courses and other programs and events

• Other tasks and duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Interest in and a desire to promote green building and the Chapter’s mission;

• A bachelor’s degree or higher; educational background in environmental education, science, or policy, or other relevant areas preferred;

• Strong interpersonal skills, including developing and maintaining relationships with volunteers and collaborators over a large geographic area;

• Highly organized with attention to detail, excellent communication skills (written and oral), and ability to work independently while working as part of a diverse team;

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; self-motivated and

• Computer skills: proficiency with computers generally and specifically MS Office required. Experience with online website work (e.g. google docs, Wild Apricot, etc) a plus. Experience with Contribute or similar website editing tools also a plus.

• Able to thrive in a dynamic and creative nonprofit environment;

• Experience working with a largely volunteer driven organization;

• Experience in and/or knowledge of green building preferred.

• Knowledge of USGBC Colorado or other USGBC chapters highly desireable.

HOURS & COMPENSATION

This position is full-time, and the coordinator is expected to work 40 hours a week. Hourly wage $10-$14/hour depending on experience.

Visit www.usgbccolorado.org for more information.

Start Date

February 7th

USGBC Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

Colorado WaterWise currently seeking RFPs for a graphic artist for the quarterly newsletter

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:04:51 GMT

Colorado WaterWise is a non-profit organization with a mission, “to promote urban water conservation and the efficient use of Colorado’s water.” We are seeking proposals from graphic artists interested in designing our quarterly newsletter, WaterWise.

The newsletter editors collect and edit submitted articles before they are sent to the graphic artist for design. It is currently designed with an Adobe In-Design template that we would like to continue to use so the newsletter has a consistent look. After design, the editors proofread it thoroughly; when finalized it is distributed to our members as a .pdf. A past issue is attached, so you can get a feel for its scope and length. Our annual budget for newsletter production (graphic artist’s time and stock photos) is $1,500, or $375 per issue.

Please send us the following information:

1. Name and contact information
2. Years of experience
3. Samples of your work (this could be a website)
4. Requested salary
5. Submit proposal by January 31, 2012

Thank you for your interest in the Colorado WaterWise newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

The Editors

Kim Frick, Ruth Quade, Leslie Martien, & Laurie D’Audney

2011Fall.pdf

2011winter.pdf

Denver Water - Conservation Field Technician (2 positions)

Brenda O'Brien — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:45:07 GMT

Department: Public Affairs
Closing Date: January 19, 2012
MVR: Yes
Hiring Range: $17.07 to $23.94 hourly

Denver Water is seeking two Conservation Field Techs. The successful candidates will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsible for providing water conservation educational, information and technical assistance to customers.
Performs soil amendment inspections, irrigation audits, commercial audits and residential indoor audits including scheduling of appointments, performing technical tests and procedures, interacting with customers and making recommendations.
Enforces water wasting rules through one-on-one dialog and written communications, documenting events.
Responsible for performing inspections of car washes, including scheduling appointments with customers, inspecting equipment for leaks and measuring output of nozzles, making on-site recommendations.
Inspects toilets, clothes washers, and Xeriscape gardens for rebate program.
Investigates excessive water usage; inspects to determine basis for billing;
Develops and manages conservation projects: collecting, analyzing and interpreting data.

To qualify for this position candidates must have graduated from high school, supplemented with two years’ experience involving customer contact, including meter reading, water operations, conservation, or a related field. They also must possess and maintain a valid class R Colorado driver’s license, and have a satisfactory driving record. Basic computer skills such as Excel, Microsoft Outlook and data input are highly desirable and Irrigation Auditor Certification through the Irrigation Association is preferred within six months of appointment.

Recruiter: Brian Haggerty, 303-628-6449

Applications are only accepted through our online application system.
Denver Water will not accept or consider applications that are mailed, e-mailed, faxed, or dropped off at our office.
No resumes will be accepted unless they are attached to an online application.
Employment applications are accepted for current openings only.

Job Posting: Aurora Water - Irrigation Plans Examiner

Brenda O'Brien — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:34:49 GMT

WATER CONSERVATION SPECIALIST – Irrigation Plans Examiner

(AURORA WATER/PUBLIC INFORMATION)

Job Category: PROF/TECH

Pay Grade 64: $39,160 - $46,615

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Examines irrigation plans for compliance with irrigation standards adopted by the City for the Water Department. Creates and maintains conservation databases.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reviews and analyzes irrigation plans for compliance with City code; assures proper collection of fees; assures coordination of irrigation plans and the City's review of landscape plans; advises consultants, developers, contractors, and others regarding City standards and regulations; serves as a liaison to designers, contractors, developers and other departments and agencies; develops and maintains complex record keeping and reporting systems; researches and recommends changes in the utility codes; provides technical code interpretation and assistance to designers/developers; performs irrigation system inspections as needed; creates and maintains conservation databases used to track programs as needed; assists field team in audit assessments; develops procedures; assists with outdoor water audit program; maintains irrigation rebate program; administers water conservation programs; develops program guidelines; promotes programs with City Council and other cities; responds to water conservation and landscape conservation questions and inquiries; performs additional duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands: Physical work requiring ability to lift a maximum of 40 pounds; some lifting and carrying of materials for presentations and displays; some walking and standing; speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens; vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents; hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard; foot/eye coordination for operation of motor vehicle to presentation sites.

Work Environment: Works primarily in a clean, comfortable environment.

Equipment Used: Personal computer; code books; some use of motor vehicle. Operates equipment and vehicles common to maintenance functions.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in landscape architecture, irrigation design, natural resources, planning or directly related field.

Experience: At least 2 years experience in landscape plans examining to include irrigation design and/or review. Experience in water conservation field preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

Knowledge: Knowledge of principles and practices related to design and installation of irrigation systems; landscape water conservation; City standards and specifications; and code enforcement techniques and principles.

Abilities: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, contractors and citizens; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; ability to perform advanced mathematical calculations; read, interpret, and understand complex construction documents; explain codes.

Skills: Strong interpersonal and analytical skills; skill in the use of an architect/engineers scale as well as the personal computer including use of Autocad; skill in reading construction documents.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, OR EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: Colorado driver's license with good driving record. This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

EPA's Urban Waters Small Grants Program

Brenda O'Brien — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:17:36 GMT

EPA Requests Proposals for Urban Waters Small Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expects to award between $1.8 to $3.8 million in funding for projects across the country to help

restore urban waters by improving water quality and supporting community revitalization. The funding is part of EPA’s Urban Waters program, which supports communities in their efforts to access, improve, and benefit from their urban waters and the surrounding land. Healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance educational, recreational and employment opportunities in nearby communities.

The goal of the Urban Waters Small Grants program is to fund research,

studies, training, and demonstration projects that will advance the

restoration of urban waters by improving water quality through

activities that also support community revitalization and other local

priorities such as public health, social and economic opportunities,

general livability and environmental justice for residents. Examples of

projects eligible for funding include:

· Education and training for water quality improvement or green

infrastructure jobs

· Public education about ways to reduce water pollution

· Local water quality monitoring programs

· Engaging diverse stakeholders to develop local watershed plans

· Innovative projects that promote local water quality and community

revitalization goals

Information about Urban Waters Small Grants including the Request for

Proposal (RFP) and registration links for the webinars is available at

http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding. EPA expects to award the grants in Summer 2012.

Note to Applicants: In accordance with EPA's Assistance Agreement

Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1), EPA staff will not meet with

individual applicants to discuss draft proposals, provide informal

comments on draft proposals, or provide advice to applicants on how to

respond to ranking criteria. Applicants are responsible for the

contents of their proposals. However, consistent with the provisions in

the announcement, EPA will respond to questions from individual

applicants regarding threshold eligibility criteria, administrative

issues related to the submission of the proposal, and requests for

clarification about the announcement. Questions must be submitted in

writing via e-mail to urbanwaters@epa.gov and must be received by the

Agency Contact, Ji-Sun Yi, by January 16, 2012 and written responses

will be posted on EPA’s website at

http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding

Dates to Remember:

· Deadline for submitting proposals: January 23, 2012.

· Two webinars about this funding opportunity: December 14, 2011

and January 5, 2012.

· Deadline for submitting questions: January 16, 2012

Third Annual AWRA Student/Professional Networking Event

Brenda O'Brien — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:39:53 GMT

The Colorado AWRA Professional Chapter is holding the third annual student/professional networking event on November 2 at the Breckenridge Brewery in downtown Denver. This is a great opportunity for your students (ideally junior, senior and graduate students) to meet professionals in the water resources field. The event consists of a panelist session where students have an opportunity to ask questions to professionals about job interviews, tips on looking for a job, lessons learned, etc. An informal networking session will follow the panelist session.

We would appreciate it if you could introduce this event in your classes and circulate the flyer among your students. Students will need to RSVP by October 26.

For more event information, click here to download the event flyer.

EPA and Partners Unveil State's First WaterSense Home in Colorado Springs

Brenda O'Brien — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:35:40 GMT

  PA Region 8 News Release: 

  EPA and partners unveil state's first WaterSense home in Colorado Springs

  Release date: 09/29/2011

  Contact Information: Lisa McClain-Vanderpool 303.501.4027

  EPA, Colorado Springs Utilities and the Colorado Water Conservation Board recognize Colorado’s first home certified under EPA water efficiency program.

  (Denver, Colo. – Sept. 29, 2011) 

  At a recognition event today, the U.S. EPA, Colorado Springs Utilities and the Colorado Water Conservation

  Board recognized Gold Hill Mesa builder GJ Gardner Northgate for building the first WaterSense labeled home in the state of Colorado. GJ Gardner joins only 3 other builders nationwide who have done the same.

  “This beautiful GJ Gardner home is being celebrated today for meeting high standards for water efficiency and conservation,”said Sadie Hoskie,EPA Region 8 water program director. “The Gold Hill Mesa development is

  not only a successful example of reusing valuable land, they have set the bar even higher not only by instituting water conservation through WaterSense but by adopting high renewable energy and efficiency standards in the homes they’re building.”

  Each WaterSense home is independently inspected and certified by a third party to ensure EPA criteria are met for both water efficiency and performance. This GJ Gardner home is 20% more water efficient and will

  save a family of four approximately $600 per year in utility costs, or 50,000 gallons of water, compared to a typical home.

  “We applaud the innovative builders who are taking such a thoughtful approach to water. These sensible steps will not only save money for homeowners but provide important examples for Coloradans as we understand water is a treasure for the entire state, important for our

  homes, but also for our farmers, rivers, wildlife, industries and tourism,” said John Stulp, special policy advisor for water to Gov.Hickenlooper. “Such responsible approaches to water help our economy and environment thrive.”

  "New homes like this one are a model for our community's future and help us achieve our long-range conservation goals to ensure a sustainable supply of water, while saving homeowners water, energy and money," said

  Jerry Forte, chief executive officer for Colorado Springs Utilities.  Homeowners who invest in a WaterSense labeled home will save water and energy now, pay less for utilities every month, and protect resources for future generations. WaterSense labeled products like shower heads,toilets and bathroom faucets are now available at every cost point.

  WaterSense labeled new homes are all about convenience, efficiency and confidence. Hot water will be delivered to the users faster – saving water, energy AND time. Their yards will be healthy, regionally sustainable and easier to maintain and their homes will be filled with

  WaterSense labeled products that they can be confident have been tested for efficiency and performance.

  For more information on WaterSense visit:http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense

  Receive our News Releases Automatically by Email

--

  Loretta Lohman, Ph.D.

  Nonpoint Source Outreach Coordinator

  Colorado State University

  Colorado Water Institute

  3375 W. Aqueduct Avenue

  Littleton, CO 80123

  lorettalohman@gmail.com

  loretta.lohman@colostate.edu

  303-549-3063

  www.npscolorado.com

Colorado WaterWise Fall Newsletter

Laura Wing — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:25:33 GMT

In this issue you will find:

-The complete program from Colorado WaterWise's Annual Workshop-Making Dollars and Sense of Water Conservation

-Interviews with two speakers from Colorado WaterWise Annual Workshop-Hunter Lovins & Jonathan Waterman

-Best Practices #7, 9, 10 &11

Click to download: 2011Fall.pdf

EPA WaterSense Recognizes Colorado WaterWise

Brenda O'Brien — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:29:45 GMT

WS_Partner-Cert_2010_to-print 114.pdf

Colorado Springs Utilities hosts successful one-day Backyard Compost Bin Truckload Sale

Frank Kinder — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:53:15 GMT

Colorado Springs Utilities hosted a one day sale of the EarthMachine backyard compost bin through Norseman Environmental. Citizens purchased 622 bins and associated accessory compost turners and kitchen pails to help kickstart their backyard composting. The one-day event was a huge success; with many buyers looking forward to reducing their waste, improving their soil, reducing water needs, and putting organics to use in their own yard. Composting is fun, easy, safe, and helps conserve water through improved soils and stormwater systems, while keeping useful organics out of the waste stream. Onsite education and demonstration helped families look forward to this simple way to recycle and learn more about the earth's system, all while improving plants, trees, yards, and their quality of life and reducing local stormwater issues. If you'd like to have Norseman Environmental assist in a compost bin sale in your area, contact Roger Schaljo through www.earthmachine.com.

Fort Carson Army Post chosen at Net Zero Energy, Water and Waste by 2020

Frank Kinder — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:50:06 GMT

FORT CARSON, Colo., April 21, 2011 -- Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, announced Tuesday at the Installation Management Symposium in San Antonio that Fort Carson has been designated as an Army "Net Zero" installation.

The categories considered for installation Net Zero status were energy, water and waste.

http://www.army.mil/-news/2011/04/21/55328-fort-carson-achieves-net-zero-status/

http://www.cpr.org/article/Fort_Carson_hopes_to_reach_net_zero_on_energy_water_waste

Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Issues of today: A Global Water Story

Frank Kinder — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:40:19 GMT

http://www.dmns.org/learn/adults/after-hours/issues-of-today-a-global-water-story

Plunge into a national conversation about local and global water issues using the immersive technology of Gates Planetarium at the premier event for the new Worldviews Network. Typically the Planetarium is used to study space, but its capabilities are also ideal for a discussion about earth systems and environmental science. This program will be simulcast live to sites across the United States, as part of the Worldviews Network, a nationwide conversation about water with scientists and other experts. Here in Denver, geologist Bob Raynolds, PhD, and space scientist Ka Chun Yu, PhD, will explain the planetary processes that affect water supplies around the world and in the American West.

Tuesday, May 24
7 p.m.
Gates Planetarium; please use the Ricketson Evening/West Entrance
$8 member, $10 nonmember

Reservations
Reservations are recommended for all programs. Please call 303.370.6000, M-F, 9-5 or click the BUY TICKETS button.