At the May 20 Board of Directors meeting, MMWD launched a new conservation recognition program, “Water-Saving Heroes,” to acknowledge customers who are significantly reducing their water use and inspiring others to do the same. When the board requested a 25% voluntary water use reduction in January, these customers immediately rose to the challenge.
We’re looking for more water-saving heroes to recognize at future board meetings. If you know a water-saving hero—or if you are one—let us know!
Congratulations to the following customers who were recognized on May 20:
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS
Nancy and Mike Duran, San Rafael
- For the February to April time period, the Duran family reduced their water use from 12,716 gallons in 2013 to 6,732 this year—almost a 50% reduction!
- Accomplished these savings by cutting back on unnecessary water use and capturing rainwater for their garden
- Inspired others by tweeting about their success
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Mayor Gary Phillips, City of San Rafael
To conserve water during the drought, the City of San Rafael:
- Eliminated or reduced to a bare minimum irrigation of turf areas in city parks and sports fields and in most landscaped areas
- Installed high-efficiency faucets, showerheads, and toilets to replace inefficient models in city facilities
- Minimized washing of city fleet vehicles
- Posted conservation signs above kitchen and bathroom sinks, and reminded city employees to minimize shower times and run only full dishwasher loads at city facilities
Chief Jason Weber, Marin County Fire Department
Marin County Fire took these steps to conserve water:
- During training exercises, flowed water at bare minimum amounts and only when absolutely necessary
- Minimized washing of fire trucks, while still keeping equipment clean and shiny through daily wiping down with chamois cloths
- Deferred fire hydrant and hose testing where possible, and conducted required tests so as to limit water loss
- Asked all fire personnel to reduce water use 25% by minimizing shower times, washing only full loads of clothes and dishes, watering landscaping only as needed, and repairing leaks at fire facilities
BUSINESSES
Michael Cronin, Operations Manager, EO Products, San Rafael
- For their new facility in San Rafael, EO Products converted the water cooling system for their manufacturing process from an open system to a closed system, allowing the company to recirculate the water and save thousands of gallons.
- Also installed faucet aerators and upgraded all their toilets to high-efficiency models
Lynn Langford, CEO, Lean Green Solutions
- Created “Neighbor 2 Neighbor” drought event for Ross Valley residents at the Marin Art & Garden Center
- Helped found the Marin Edible Garden and coordinate the Ross Valley Garden Tour, including partnering with MMWD to provide water-wise gardening information to tour participants
SCHOOLS
Mike Grant, Facilities Director, Marin County Office of Education
- Arranged for MMWD Conservation Manager Dan Carney to give a presentation for all Marin County Schools’ maintenance directors to help strengthen conservation efforts in our schools
Ted Stoeckley, Science Specialist, Larkspur-Corte Madera School District
- Contacted MMWD to request 500 of our conservation “cling sticks” to distribute to his students in 19 classrooms at Neil Cummins Elementary and Hall Middle School, who in turn took the conservation message home to their families
Parents Marnie Glickman and Sommer Au-Yeung, Science Teacher Pete Hudson, and Students of the Lower Elementary Class, Marin Montessori School, Corte Madera
- Collaborated on developing a program at Marin Montessori School to teach students about our water system and about the drought
- Coordinated a water conservation presentation and led students through a brainstorming session on conserving water
- Students took home aerators, toilet leak test tablets, a sticker, and conservation information in a bucket—perfect for capturing and reusing shower warm-up water.
- Parents reported that all the kids came home excited and made their parents test the toilet, install the aerator, and put the sticker on the fridge.
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