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E-Newsletter

August 2009

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A Billion Gallons= of Water Saved...Now What?

The water saving numbers are in for the 12 month period ending June 30, 2009,= and Anaheim utility customers collectively saved a billion gallons of water. That's enough to serve 7,000 homes for a year. = Good job Anaheim!

By reaching the billion gallon mark, we absolutely crushed our conservation goal of 950 million gallons for the 12 months ending June 30, 2009.

If we continue to conserve at this pace in the current fiscal yea= r, ending June 30, 2010, Anaheim will be well positioned to comply w= ith the mandatory supply cutback imposed by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California that began on July 1, 2009.

With such good news it is natural to wonder if it's okay to = ease up on our water saving efforts? This is a temptation that we have to resist, especially with news that there may be a wet wint= er on the way given the El Niño condition that appears to be forming= in the Pacific.

Remember, this drought was years in the making. Therefore, it is not likel= y to be over in one winter of above normal rainfall. What's more= , it isn't necessarily a good thing for our future to count on less gr= owth in California in order to ease our demand water.

Therefore, to prosper in a reduced water environment, we must continue to incorporate water efficient habits into our daily lives. We are in this together. You can count on us to continue making water saving investments designed to help reduce water used for landscaping and to research and invest in new water supply technologies.

Sincerely,

Marcie L. Edwards
Anaheim Public Utilities General Manager=

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Headlines: R= elief on the Way with El Niño Condition This Winter?

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(Pictured above) Sea surface temperatures along the equatorial Eastern Paci= fic, as of July 1, are at least one degree above average - a sign of El Niño condition. Source: NOAA.

According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientist= s, an El Niño condition is forming in the Pacific. If this condition persists through the 2009-10 winter season as predicted= , it could bring, "beneficial precipitation to the arid Southwest= " and possibly severe winter storms to California. =

Of course, the bottom line could be significant relief to the multi-year drought in California and perhaps the Colorado River watershed, a major source of imported water for our region. The Colorado River Basin has sufferred from dry wea= ther for the past 8 years. On average, Anaheim receives approximately 13 inches of rainfall every year and the impacts of El Niño condition can double Anaheim's yearly rainfall average.

However, even if an El Niño condition brings more rain, a single = wet year still doesn't affect the fundamental picture of higher water demand and increasing willingness of the judiciary to restrict water imports to Southern California from Northern California due to environmental concerns.

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Ideas:
Get Makeover
Ideas from the Renovated
Waterwise Garden

Looking for landscape ideas to perfect a beautiful garden on a water budget that would even make a camel blush?

Dread the thought of a “waterwise” garden that looks like a lunar landscape?

Well weekend and professional landscapers are invited to come down to the newly renovated Waterwise Demonstration Garden
(dedicated to Sally White) at the Anaheim Amtrak Station loc= ated near Anaheim Stadium. Access to the garden is through the stadium parking lot off of Katella Ave. at the Grove Theater of Anaheim.

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The renovation, w= hich was completed in June, features a variety of California-frie= ndly plants designed to illustrate the beauty of waterwise landscaping. In addition, water efficient irrigation systems were also installed in the garden to further increase water conservation.

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The garden will s= oon have new signs and information pamphlets for visitors to take these garden ideas home.

For more information on California-friendly plants click here.

Youth Spotlight: A Surprised Samuel Anaya Wins Water Conservation Video Contest=

Congratulations t= o Samuel Anaya of Anaheim High School for submitting the winning video in APU's inaugural Student Water Conservation Video Contest.

3D"anaya_calkins" <= ![endif]> (Pictured left) Samuel Anaya accepting his award from Don Calkins, assistant general manager of Anaheim's city-owned water utility.&= nbsp;

For his efforts, Samuel won a MacBook laptop which will help him in his future cinematic (and scholastic) efforts.

APU is currently showcasing Samuel's video as a public servi= ce announcement on Anaheim Community TV and you can view his winning= video on our website.

Helpful Hints: How to Report Water Waste =

3D"Anaheim Over the last few months, we've been encouraging o= ur customers to report water waste online via Anaheim Anytime or calling 311. It's import= ant to include as much information as possible. To help us stop water wa= ste, here are some helpful reporting hints:

Provide a specific street address of the location

Tell us the type of water waste observed, such as:

Possible broken sprinkler or pipe
Excessive water runoff
Sprinkler overspray onto walkways
Hosing/spraying down driveway or sidewalk
Other

Specify the type of location:

This will help us to determine what types of follo= w-up actions we can take

Residence

Business

City Property

Other

Thank you for your continued help to save wat= er. To report water waste, click here.

Leading: APU Cuts=
Landscape Water Use at
Lenain with SmarTimers

APU's Water System just got a little smarter about irrigating the 77 acr= es of landscape at its August F. Lenain Water Treatment Plant, which= is located in <= span style=3D'font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:= #1F4858'>

3Dlenain = Anaheim's arid hill and canyon area. Water delivered throughout Anaheim’s high elevation water system and mo= st of the canyon’s homes and businesses is first treated at Lenain.&= nbsp;

(Pictured Left) Aerial view of the Lenain Plant.

Two SmarTimer irrigation units, were installed during June 2009 at Le= nain. For this initial investment of $3,500, APU will reduce landscape water use at the facility by at least 25%. In general, SmarT= imer irrigation units save approximately 105,902 gallons per acre foot= of irrigation water when used correctly.

3D"rme_smartimer2" = APU chose the RME Eagle units because of their user-friendly features and high reliability. This particular SmarTimer model uses evapotranspiration technology (ET). The ET is a controller system that uses real time data that calculates exactly how much water your plants need on a daily basis. The calculations are based on sun exposure, temperature, wind, and the type of soil are in your garden.

(Pictured Left) A SmarTimer unit in a field location at Lenain.=

Additional features include a communication card that provides remote control capability via the internet, as well as leak detection features in the irrigation system at Lenain. <= /p>

3DReservoir (Pictured Right) Second SmarTimer unit on a building at Lenain.

"The SmarTimer irrigation system has been a great addition in helping Lenain conserve are outdoor water use. It is truly a unique piece of technology that saves us time, water and money,"&nb= sp; said Mick Sharples, water production technician supervisor. =

To get more information on what type of irrigation is best= for your landscape, click here or check out your local irri= gation supply store.

In This Issue =

A Billion Saved. Now What?

Headlines= : El Nino Condition This Winter?

Ideas: Waterwise Garden Makeover

Youth: An= aya Wins Video Contest

Helpful H= ints for Reporting Waste

Leading: SmarTimers at Lenain

A Billion Gallons Saved & Counting

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Congratulations Anaheim. For the 12 month period ending June 30, 2009, you lowered water use by over a billion gallons.

That's enough to serve 7,000 homes for a year. Together we can help Anaheim flourish on less water. <= /span>

<= span style=3D'mso-bookmark:"LETTER\.BLOCK18"'>Save Water Anaheim!

<= span style=3D'mso-bookmark:"LETTER\.BLOCK19"'>How to Make Your G= arden more California Friendly... <= /span>

<= span style=3D'mso-bookmark:"LETTER\.BLOCK19"'> 3D"california

Tune up your irrigation system
An irrigation system that has leaks, broken parts can be the biggest water waster of all.

Mulch yo= ur plant beds

Mulch minimizes wat= er loss, helps control weeds, and returns nutrients to the soil as it decomposes.

Change&n= bsp;your plants
Select California-friendly plants that have low water needs and flower colors that you like.

Remember, most new plants need a little more water until they get established, but once they are growing turn the water down to what they need. With this in mind, you may want to postpone on putting in new plants until after summer.

For more on creating a thriving garden under drought conditions, click here.

Tough Questions for a Tough Water Situation

Why should I save water when I see others being " water wasters"?

How long is Anaheim asking its customers to conserve?

What is Anah= eim doing in water conservation to lead by example?<= br>
Get the Answers You Need in the...

<= span style=3D'mso-bookmark:"LETTER\.BLOCK20"'> <= /p>

For more information please contact Issis Macias a= t imacias@= anaheim.net

Water Rebate Update

Despite MWD's rec= ent rebate funding shortage, APU will continue to provide programs that will help customers make water efficiency investments.

From July 2009 through June 2010, APU will fund wa= ter conservation rebates and programs for our customers.

To learn more about our water conservation rebates and programs click = here<= /span>.<= /span>

Leave a Friendly Reminder

If you spot water waste, please let us know and we'll send a = = frien= dly reminder to the home or business that you think may be the source of the water waste. Call 311 from any Anaheim based landline, (714) 765-4311 from your cell phone, or click = here<= /span> to submit your request.

Click on image below for a larger view of the door hanger:

City Services online and on-demand

Web and text based tools give you access 24/7!

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Visit anaheim.net or = call 311 from any Anaheim phone. From outside the city limits call 714-765-4311

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