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Pasadena InFocus masthead
 January/February 2003 Issue

 

Why Not Go Green?

 

Beautiful Gardens for Much Less Water!

 

Rose Bowl is Water-saving Champ

 

Wash Away Dirt, Not Your Dollars

 

Preventive Maintenance in Your Home

 

Etcetera...Etcetera

 

Noticias en Breve

 

 

Why Not Go Green?

PWP RECENTLY MADE SWITCHING TO “GREEN POWER” AVAILABLE to all power customers and you could be one of the first pioneers.

Unlike traditional electricity generated by fossil fuels like coal, crude oil and natural gas, green power is generated from renewable resources including wind and solar power, biomass, geothermal and hydropower. These resources are limitless and cause less pollution. While the cost has kept many customers away in the past, surveys show that forward-thinking Californians want green power and are willing to pay a little extra for these cleaner energy sources.

Right now, 100% of PWP’s green power comes from wind sources and is available for an extra energy charge of 2.5¢ per kilowatt hour. A typical homeowner who uses 500 kilowatt hours per month would spend an extra $12.50 - a small price to pay for helping the environment.

To learn more about green power or add your name to a list of interested customers, visit www.PWPweb.com or call the PWP AnswerLine at 744-6970. As the list grows, PWP will buy blocks of green power from suppliers throughout the west.

 
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Beautiful Gardens for Much Less Water!

LEARN THE LATEST TECHNIQUES FOR SAVING WATER AND ENERGY in your own back yard during home gardeners’ water conservation workshops the first three Saturdays in February - 1, 8, and 15. Taught by our local landscaping experts from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the classes are offered free (a $150 value) to PWP customers - your latest utility bill will be your admittance ticket. The comprehensive workshops cover plant identification and use, watering and fertilizing, basics of landscape design and sprinkler systems. Seating is limited so call the PWP AnswerLine at 744-6970 to reserve your spot now!

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Rose Bowl is Water-saving Champ

MILLIONS OF EYES WERE FOCUSED ON THE 50-YARD LINE during the 2003 Rose Bowl Game. But there’s one thing some ticket holders didn’t see when they took a break at half-time: water.
A urinal in Rose Bowl's men's restroom
Photo: Mike Marshall Photography

PWP recently teamed up with Rose Bowl officials to install Falcon water-free urinals in all of the stadium’s men’s restrooms. Twenty-eight older, trough-type urinals were replaced with 259 Falcon Waterfree Technologies urinals - state-of-the-art, low-maintenance devices that are expected to slash the stadium’s water bills. With more than 650,000 uses by the public, the urinals will save more than 1 million gallons of water this season alone.

They look like standard fixtures, but not a drop of liquid is used for flushing. Each one is expected to save 40,000 gallons of water per year, cutting water and sewer costs. What’s more, they’re easy to maintain, odor-free and environmentally friendly.

Rose Bowl officials say the devices are earning rave reviews. Watch for them at half-time!

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Wash Away Dirt, Not Your Dollars

Top-loading washer

SCRUB UP SOME SAVINGS with a $100 rebate on high-efficiency clothes washers from PWP.

Rather than swirling clothes in a full tub, these technology marvels tumble clothes through a much smaller amount of water, use 40% less energy and save you up to 40 gallons of water per load. They’re also gentle, so they help extend the life of your clothes while getting them cleaner.

To receive your rebate, buy a high-efficiency clothes washer with a water factor (gallons per cycle) of 11 or below that has been approved by the California Consortium for Energy. Some household models may also qualify for PWP’s popular EnergyStar® rebate (another $200!). Funding is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Get the latest updates, a list of eligible models and a rebate application at www.PWPweb.com or call the PWP AnswerLine at 744-6970.

Replacing your old family washing machine with a new high efficiency (HE) model can save up to 8,000 gallons of water per year.

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Preventive Maintenance in Your Home

JANUARY IS A GOOD MONTH for doing simple maintenance checks to make sure you’re saving every dollar possible on your water bill.

Aerators

Most faucets are equipped with aerators that mix air and water for a smoother flow. Cleaning your aerators once a year removes mineral and debris buildup. Simply follow these easy steps: First, unscrew the aerator. Then lay the parts on the counter in the order in which you removed them or make a sketch of their order so you can put them back correctly. Next, rinse each part with water and clean all screen holes with a toothbrush or toothpick. To remove hard water scale, soak the parts in vinegar or lime dissolver, then rinse with water before putting them back together. If a part is worn, replace it or install a new aerator.

Toilets

So you think your toilet doesn’t leak? You may have to think again. Try this simple test to help detect the most common cause of toilet leaks: Put some food dye in the tank and then leave for 15 minutes. When you return, look in the toilet bowl. If the water in the bowl is the same color as the dye, it’s time for a new flapper. After installing the flapper or calling a plumber to do it for you, run the dye test again to ensure that your toilet is not still leaking. If the leak persists, you may have to replace the entire flush valve.

Refrigerators

Water lines for cold water dispensers and ice makers are usually connected from under the sink to the back of the refrigerator. They often run behind or under kitchen cabinets or walls. Because water lines are not in full view, leaks can often go undetected until they become big and expensive, potentially damaging other appliances, cabinets, walls and floors. So check for leaks or call a plumbing or refrigeration expert to do this important job for you.

For more information visit www.PWPweb.com or call the PWP AnswerLine at 744-6970.

 


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