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Department of Ecology News Release - Oct. 16, 2000
00-201
Spokane - Adopting a unique rate structure designed to save water has resulted in 30 million gallons of water saved so far this year, and earned the Whitworth Water District No. 2 the state Department of Ecology's Environmental Excellence Award.
The award will be presented Tuesday, Oct. 17, to the district's commission chairman, Ed McDonald, and district General Manager Susan McGeorge at the Spokane County commissioners meeting at 5 p.m.
According to McGeorge, a review of the first nine months of this year compared to the same months last year indicates an average savings of 4,079 gallons of water per customer.
Effective this year (2000), the customers of the water district are paying more as their water consumption passes each of four thresholds.
"We're very pleased," McGeorge said. "Our customers should be very proud, especially since this summer was drier and hotter than last summer and we even have 165 more customers this year than last."
In combing through old records, McGeorge added that it appears water use this year was below that of five years ago when the district had approximately 500 fewer customers.
"The Whitworth Water District's board took a bold step when it decided last year to incorporate water conservation into its rate structure," said Tony Grover, Ecology's eastern region manager. "They are the first in the region to do so.
"Having enough water in the future is the key to the area's future prosperity and health. Whitworth's program is a concrete move toward meeting that challenge, and they deserve all the recognition and support we can give them," Grover added.
Contact: Jani Gilbert, Public Information Manager, 509-456-4464;
pager, 509-622-1289
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
