Water conservation #2

"An attempt to accomplish something is, for the most part, better than doing nothing at all.  When, however, the effort is on the part of those who represent us, the result should be concise, complete and professional."  

Today, I took a deeper look into our PUD's website and found "Water Conservation Tips" accessible at:   http://www.jeffpud.org/conservation-tips/

The suggestions on this page seem a bit generic and the formatting and layout could use a bit of work.  It is a start, the first step toward the coordinated conservation program that our county truly needs, and you, the owners of our PUD, deserve. There is a long way to go and much effort is required for its success.  The payback would be in savings; to the customer on their utility bill and to the PUD in not needing to increase supply capacity or construct additional distribution infrastructure.

What I would like to work toward is a plan that would include seminars co-hosted with Master Gardeners, WSU and Peninsula College and even include local  designers  and installers well versed in landscape design using native, drought resistant plantings.  Other programs could include vendor representatives from companies that sell irrigation systems, especially the  drip type.  Even revive the rain barrel program which seemed to be well received in the past.

It might even be possible for the PUD to work with land owners in detecting leaks, on their side of the meter, in their underground water lines,  .  The homeowner would still be responsible for the repairs, but this would save them having to dig up their entire yard to find the problem.

Our PUD should be the first and only source you need to access for conservation information and assistance.  The PUD website should be directory for all conservation programs available, regardless of the sponsor so long as the programs are responsibly presented.

I know we have good, talented people working for our PUD so, please, do not take my comments as complaints against them.  They have far too much on their plates and could use, I feel, some help in specific areas to address these issues.

Here is my gardening tip for the day:  Concrete and asphalt DO NOT require watering, nor does gravel so, please, direct your sprinklers accordingly.

Thank you,
Tony