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<h1 style="text-align: left;"><span class="p">We've Got Your Number!</span></h1>
<p><span class="p">Though summer watering may not be foremost on your mind at the moment, we thought you should know that we will begin posting the Weekly Watering Number on April 2.</span></p>
<p><span class="p"><span class="p"><span class="p"><img src="/sites/default/files/images/WWN.gif" alt="Weekly Watering Number" title="Weekly Watering Number" width="150" height="145" align="left" /></span></span>Published <a title="Weekly Watering Number" href="/outdoors/irrigation/weeklywateringnumber">here</a> each Thursday from March-September, the <a title="Weekly Watering Number" href="/outdoors/irrigation/weeklywateringnumber">Weekly Watering Number</a> is the amount of water <strong><em>in inches</em></strong> that your lawn will need that week.</span></p>
<p><span class="p">It can also be used for other types of plants, by using these general guidelines. </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span class="p">Shrubs: 50% of the Weekly Watering Number</span></li>
<li><span class="p">Trees: 50% of the Weekly Watering Number </span></li>
<li><span class="p">Vegetables: 75% of the Weekly Watering Number </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="p"><a title="Consortium email address" href="mailto:RWPCinfo@water.ci.portland.or.us">Request</a> that the Weekly Watering Number be emailed to you each week.</span></p>
<h1><span class="p">Step right up...</span></h1>
<p><span class="p">The greatest waste of water is watering too much, too often. </span></p>
<p><span class="p">Here in the Portland metro area we recommend watering your lawn about an inch a week, and more during long, hot dry spells. <img src="/sites/default/files/images/gauge.jpg" alt="Watering Gauge" title="Watering Gauge" width="90" height="76" align="right" /></span></p>
<p><span class="p">Not sure how long it takes your sprinkler to water an inch? Pick up one or our <strong>FREE</strong> watering gauge kits at each of our summer <a title="events" href="/content/calendar">events</a> or <a title="Consortium email" href="mailto:rwpcinfo@water.ci.portland.or.us">request</a> that one be mailed to you. <br /></span></p>
<p><span class="p">The kits can be used as a tool to figure out how much water is needed to reach the recommended one inch of water for a healthy green lawn. </span></p>
<h1><span class="p">Every Drop Counts</span></h1>
<p><span class="p">Nationwide, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year. </span></p>
<p><span class="p">Fortunately, many of these in-home leaks can be easily found and fixed by a do-it-yourself plumber.  Likely culprits include running toilets, dripping faucets, and dribbling showers!  Since toilets use 27% of the water used in an average home, we recommend starting there.</span></p>
<p><span class="p">Sometimes it is easy to catch your toilet in the act by listening for the telltale sound of running water or a faint hissing or trickling. But many times, water flows through the tank silently. </span></p>
<p><span class="p">To check your toilet for a silent leak simply:</span></p>
<ol>
<li><span class="p">Remove the tank lid <br />Drop 10 drops of darker food coloring into the tank</span></li>
<li><span class="p">Put the lid back on </span></li>
<li><span class="p">Wait 10 to 15 minutes, then check the bowl If you see colored water, you have a leak. If not, you don’t. (This is a great activity to do with kids!)</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span class="p">Visit <a title="Consortium website" href="/">www.conserveh2o.org</a> and <a title="EPA WaterSense" href="http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/fixaleak/index.htm">EPA's WaterSense</a> to find out more about how you can find and fix leaks in your home.</span></p>
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<p class="h3" style="padding-top: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><strong>April 22 – Energy and Water</strong> <strong>Efficiency: Double Your Savings<br /></strong>Sponsored in partnership with Portland General Electric, this half-day workshop will provide businesses with an overview of how they can wisely manage the use of valuable energy and water resources in their day-to day operations. <a title="Flyer" href="/sites/default/files/images/PGE_Flyer.pdf">More info</a> </p>
<p class="h3" style="padding-top: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"> </p>
<p class="h3" style="padding-top: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><strong></strong></p>
<p class="h3" style="padding-top: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><strong>May 30 – Using too much water?<br /></strong>Learn how you can use water wisely in your garden and retain the beauty and textures of the landscape you have worked so hard to create. Visit us at <a title="Dennis' 7 Dees " href="http://www.dennis7dees.com/centers/cedarhills.php">Dennis' 7 Dees</a> Cedar Hills location from 10 a.m. - 2p.m.!</p>
<p class="h3" style="padding-top: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"> </p>
<p class="h3" style="padding-top: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><strong></strong></p>
<p class="h3" style="padding-top: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><strong>June 13 – Father Knows Best<br /></strong>Help dad save time, water and money on his lawn this summer. Stop by our booth and pick up a FREE watering gauge kit and other helpful water conservation resources. Two locations - <a title="Dennis 7 Dees Website" href="http://www.dennis7dees.com/centers/lakeoswego.php">Dennis' 7 Dees</a> (Lake Oswego) and <a title="Darke's Seven Dess Website" href="http://www.drakes7dees.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/garden.home.htm">Drake's 7 Dees</a> - from 10 a.m - 2p.m.</p>
<p class="h3" style="padding-top: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"> </p>
<p class="h3" style="padding-top: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">Visit <a href="/content/calendar">www.conserveh2o.org</a> for a complete list of FREE workshops and events. Topics include a variety of waterwise and natural gardening tips and techniques.</p>
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<p>Generally speaking, lawns require more water and maintenance than other plants. </p>
<p>Use these tips to keep your lawn green while using less water:</p>
<ul>
<li>Aerate your lawn in the spring or fall (or both, if you can) to allow water to reach the grass roots more easily.<br /></li>
<li>Water early in the morning (before 10a.m) when temperatures are cooler and evaporation is minimized.<br /></li>
<li>Keep your blades sharp as dull blades can tear or injure your grass.<br /></li>
<li>Consider replacing some turf area with low water use plants. They can be easier to maintain than turf, look beautiful and require far less water. </li>
</ul>
<p>Interested in learning more about lawns? Check out our Planting &amp; Maintaining Your Lawn <a title="Lawn brochure" href="/sites/default/files/resources/rwpc_resources/Lawn.pdf">brochure</a> and look for other outdoor water conservation tips on our <a title="conservation tips" href="/outdoors/outdoorconservation">website</a>. </p>
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<p><a href="/about"><img src="/images/news/1007/hl_rwpc.gif" alt="Regional Water Providers Consortium" width="225" height="70" /></a><br /><span class="p"><a href="/about">The Consortium</a> provides planning and management support for the Portland metro region's municipal water supplies. <a href="mailto:RWPCinfo@water.ci.portland.or.us">Contact us</a>.</span></p>
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