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<h1><span class="p">Toilet Rebate Offered</span></h1>
<p><span class="p">Older toilets can use 3.5, 5 or even up to 7 gallons of water with every flush. That’s a lot of water, especially when you consider the number of people in your household and how often the toilet is flushed (5 times per person per day, according to national estimates*).</span></p>
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<h3><strong style="font-style: italic;">Just how much water am I <br />flushing down my toilet?</strong></h3>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Toilet<br />Consumption</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Flushes<br />Per Day</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Estimated Gallons Used<br />Per Person Per Year</strong></td>
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<td> WaterSense<br /> 1.28 GPF </td>
<td style="text-align: center;">5 </td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2,336 </td>
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<td> 1.6 GPF </td>
<td style="text-align: center;">5 </td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2,920 </td>
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<td> 3.5 GPF </td>
<td style="text-align: center;">5 </td>
<td style="text-align: center;">6,388 </td>
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<td> 5 GPF </td>
<td style="text-align: center;">5 </td>
<td style="text-align: center;">9,125 </td>
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<p><span class="p">The good news is that toilets have improved in recent years – significantly. The <a href="http://www.epa.gov/watersense/">EPA’s WaterSense Program</a> (think EnergyStar only water), has made choosing a high quality toilet simple with its EPA’s WaterSense <a href="http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/index.htm">labeling</a> system. To earn this label, WaterSense <a href="http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/het.htm">toilets</a> must use no more than 1.28 gallons per flush (GPF) and meet rigorous criteria for performance.</span></p>
<div style="float:left; margin-right: 10px;"><img src="/sites/default/files/images/wspromolabel_ask.jpeg" alt="watersense logo" title="watersense logo" width="108" height="133" /></div>
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<p>Starting January 2009, ten water providers in the Portland metro area will offer a rebate of up to $100 for replacing a toilet that uses 1.6 GPF or more with a <a href="http://www.epa.gov/watersense/">WaterSense</a> certified toilet. (<a href="/node/108">See</a> water providers currently offering toilet rebates).</p>
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<h1>When the Weather Out There is Frightful...</h1>
<p>Winter weather brings icy winds and dipping temperatures which can do a lot of damage to your home by freezing pipes and leaving you without flowing water. There are many precautions you can take now to help minimize later impacts. </p>
<p>Here are some <a href="/sites/default/files/resources/rwpc_resources/WINTER_TIPS.pdf">winterizing tips</a> to help you avoid the expense and inconvenience of frozen pipes during an extended cold spell.</p>
<p>Visit <a href="/">www.conserveh2o.org</a> for more water conservation tips.</p>
<h1><span class="p">The kids are crazy about h2o!</span></h1>
<p><img src="/images/news/students_winter_2008.jpg" alt="Ms. Ahlgim's Class" width="340" height="255" /></p>
<p>This fall the students in Ms. Ahlgrim’s 6th grade class from John McLoughlin Elementary in Oregon City spent time learning about water and water conservation. </p>
<p class="p" style="margin-top: 0;">“I felt the biggest impact in the classes was on how the 6th graders personally can conserve water, with the biggest habit changes that we worked on being turning the water off while they brush their teeth, shortening their showers, and using "left-over" water to water plants,” said Ms Ahlgrim.</p>
<p class="p" style="margin-top: 0;">Is your class doing something cool with water or water conservation? If so, <a href="mailto:RWPCinfo@water.ci.portland.or.us">tell us</a> about it!</p>
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<p class="h3" style="padding-top: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><strong>Feb. 18 - 22 – Portland Home &amp; Garden Show</strong> <br />Did you know that over watering is the most common problem in home and commercial landscapes? Visit our booth at the <a href="http://otshows.com/PHS/">Portland Home &amp; Garden Show</a> for info on watering basics and other info that will make your garden thrive this summer.</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>April 2 – Water Lean. Grow Green</strong></p>
<p class="h3" style="padding-top: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">Interested in learning more about the best management practices of waterwise landscaping? Landscape Professionals, commercial property managers, irrigation contractors and homeowners are invited to attend the Consortium’s Water Lean Grow Green workshop on April 2. <a href="mailto:RWPCinfo@water.ci.portland.or.us">Sign up</a> to receive more info. </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>April 22 – Energy and Water Efficiency: Double Your Savings</strong></p>
<p class="h3" style="padding-top: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">This free half-day seminar provides businesses with an overview of how they can wisely manage the use of valuable energy and water resources in their day-to day operations. Learn about energy efficiency and water conservation concepts and strategies and how they could potentially improve your bottom line. <a href="/sites/default/files/resources/workshops/Energy_H2o.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;">Visit <a href="/news/eventcalendar">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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<li><strong>Take shorter showers.</strong> By shortening your shower just 5 minutes you could save up to 25 gallons each time you shower! <br /></li>
<li><strong>Turn the faucet off</strong> when brushing your teeth or shaving – you could save about 1 gallon a minute. <br /></li>
<li><strong>Wash only full loads of laundry or dishes.</strong> <br /></li>
<li><strong>Chill water in the refrigerator</strong> instead of running the tap to get cold water. <br /></li>
<li><strong>Put trash in the waste basket, not the toilet.</strong> This can save you 1.6 – 5 gallons per flush! </li>
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<p class="h3" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">Visit <a href="/">www.conserveh2o.org</a> for more water conservation tips.</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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