FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2016
Municipalities Partner on Fix a Leak Week Initiative
The City of Charlottetown, Town of Stratford, and Town of Cornwall have partnered to promote Fix a Leak Week to encourage the public to find and repair leaks in their homes or businesses to help conserve water.
Fix a Leak Week, which was originally initiated by the US Environmental Protective Agency's (EPA) as part of their WaterSense initiative, will take place March 14-20. The week is designed to educate the public about the large quantity of water lost each year due to leaks in homes, businesses and infrastructure.
Leading up to Fix a Leak Week, the three municipalities are running a Twitter campaign asking residents to post a photo or video of themselves or their family fixing a leak in their home. By using hashtag #IFixedALeak, participants are automatically entered into a draw for a free, low-flow toilet (donated by EMCO). The deadline to enter is March 17. The winner will be announced on the Twitter accounts of the three municipalities on March 18: @ChtownPE, @StratfordPEI, @CornwallRec
"In the City of Charlottetown, we have witnessed a tremendous commitment by our residents to join in on our water conservation efforts," said Councillor Edward Rice, Chair of the City's Water and Sewer Utility Committee. "It's great that we're able to join with Cornwall and Stratford in a collective effort to reduce water waste and further promote water conservation to the public. Water is one of our most precious resources so conservation must continue to be part of our way of life."
"Water is a resource which we all share in PEI and is certainly not something we can take for granted," said Councillor Gary Clow, Chair of the Town of Stratford Infrastructure Committee. "As municipalities, and as residents, we all have a responsibility to do our part during Fix a Leak Week, and all year round."
"I am so pleased that our three communities have come together on such an important issue -water is a right to us all and it is our responsibility to protect this great resource for all generations to come." said Councillor Irene Dawson, Chair of the Cornwall Water and Sewer Utility. "I encourage you all to participate in this most important conservation effort."
Leaks can account for, on average, 37,850 litres of water wasted in a home every year. Conserve water by checking your home for leaks and by repairing them as soon as possible.
The City of Charlottetown offers water-saving solutions such as: clothes washer rebates, replacement toilet flappers, faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads and water conservation kits. For more information or tips on ways to save water, visit: www.BeWaterFriendly.com
Each May, the Town of Stratford, in partnership with the Stratford Area Watershed Improvement Group, teaches water conservation and watershed education to grade 5 students from multiple schools in the region. The Town also continues to support the work of the watershed group, and in 2015 provided rebates to residents who upgraded their toilets to low-flow models.
The Town of Cornwall is offering replacement toilet flappers available for free, and, starting April 1, 2016, the Town will be offering a toilet rebate for replacement of high flush volume toilet.
For more details on the EPA WaterSense initiative, visit: http://www3.epa.gov/watersense/our_water/fix_a_leak.html
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Media contacts:
Jennifer Gavin
Communications Officer
City of Charlottetown
902-629-4102
[email protected]
Wendy Watts
Community Engagement Coordinator
Town of Stratford
902-569-1995
[email protected]
Doug Longmoore
Utility & Public Works Coordinator
Town of Cornwall
902-566-2354
[email protected]