Usually, when a bill comes in the mail, I am not anxious to open it, however; these days when my Denver water bill arrives I open it first.  checking to see our family’s consumption and monthly charges is always a game for me.  I like to note if we saved this month, how much we consumed over last year and our cost.   This week when the bill came there, in big, bold print was the headline: 2010 Water Rate Changes (not increases as it truly is)  The bill directs one to their website.    They state on the web site:

Your 2010 Denver Water Rates

Effective February 2010, Denver Water’s rates will increase. On average, Denver residential customers will pay $40 more per year — an average of about $3.30 per month, or about $12 on a summer bill. Typical suburban residential customers served by Denver Water will see an increase of $51 per year — an average of $4.30 per month, or about $16 on a summer bill. The amount of your bill will vary depending on how much water you use. The more you use, the more you pay. (my italics and bolding).

But don’t worry,  your bill if your are residential consumer will only go up $51.00 per year (avg).  But please note, this is JUST the service charge!

Actual rates are dependent upon consumption. The more you use the more you pay.  If given the opportunity to reduce consumption by 30% to 40% you know you will pay less and consume less.  HMMMMM, what’s all this fuss about greywater reuse??? 

There are two components to Denver Water’s rates:  Service Charges ( which we know have gone up this month from $4.41 per month to $5.58 per month, an increase of 21%.) and Consumption Charge per gallon. The rate being charge per 1000 gallons before the rate hike was $1.91 per 1000 gallons. current rate charges for 1000 gallons is $2.11per 100 gallon.  (only a 10% increase).  However, this is the lowest rate of all consumption for Denver Water.  If you like to take long showers, water your garden in the middle of the day, let you hose run or even keep the water running when you brush your teeth you may be subjected to a over 40 gallon (with a 1000 gallon multiplier) you will be charges $8.44 per 1000 gallons, compared to $7.64 before the rate hike. (10% increase).

We pay hardly anything for our water.  I am pleased to fork over my $23.00 per month for water and sewage services.  It’s the best deal in town.  We have to have water, truly is my cell bill 10 times more valuable than water.  No, I don’t see how it can be.  

My message is truly water is undercharged, and supplemented by local, regional and national agencies.  We can be smart by practicing conservaton now, reducing consumption is easy, but recycling and reusing truly consumes less. But we also need the help of people in Denver Water and all water regulatory agenices to promote the use of grey water and not hinder it with regulations and personality conflicts and old school thoughts.

How exciting!!!!  Today I was alerted to a blog, written by Kevin Geminiuc of the Colorado Green Tech Blog with a feature Article about Conservation through water ReUse.  The article succinctly describes the WL55 and describes the mission and product extremely well.  I personally could not have written it better.  So, I’d like to share it with you through this link and our Facebook page.  http://www.coloradogreentech.net/meetupblog/?p=328

We are so excited that in the upcoming issue of Green Mechanical Contractor Magazine Water Legacy will be featured.  The article which discusses the ” New Frontier of Residential Water Conservation: Graywater Reclamation Systems” specifically mentions the Water Legacy Product and shows a photo of the sytem installed.  This article clearly and succintly describes the knowledge of greywater, various greywater systems, types of disinfection and treatment, storage options, pumps and controls and distribution piping.

When the article is published I will provide a link directly to the magazine.  In the meantime, DO NOT FLUSH FRESH WATER!!!   cmkv

Imagine my surprise while watching the Nebraska vs. Texas game Saturday night when a television commercial from IBM is on the tele discussing the need for water management.  Check out this ad on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOcetNnwp7U.

We can make a difference in many ways, and Water Legacy with it’s greywater recycling systems for residential use starts right at home.  Call us for more information. 

The Denver Water Board is raising the rate you pay for water by 13%.  Additionally, water users should expect to see increases continually for next couple of years.  This information is noted in the Denver Post’s editorial page on November 15th , 2009.  www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_13776994?source=pophome

Water Legacy asks:  Should we be concerned?

Our mission is conservation through reusing greywater to flush your toilets. Reusing greywater causes less water (up to 30%) therefore reducing your consumption of fresh residential water.  In Denver, the water rates have already gone up 81% since 2001.  The biggest challenge facing water conservation is that people expect the price of water to be cheap and the supply abundant.  As prices increase, one will look at reduction of cost and that is through conservation. 

We ask that Denverites and citizens of the west become more fully aware of methods of water consumption reduction and take time to evaluate the use of greywater to flush your toilets.

The Colorado Sustainable Design Awards sets a high standard for new construction in both commercial and residential green building.  The most recent awards,  judged on standards set by the Colorado chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute Colorado and the U.S. Green Building Council Colorado in partnership with ColoradoBiz magazine, gave the first and second place residential award to homes with the Water Legacy WL55 Greywater Recycling System.

This statewide program seeks to recognize the builders who construct both commercial and residential units that meet a set of established guidelines for saving energy and reducing your carbon footprint. Our greywater reuse system was cited prominently in both homes located in Boulder county as one of the leading edge clean technology advancements that set the winners apart.  “Case in point: The winning entry in the residential category – which required lobbying the city of Boulder to allow recycling of gray water – was commissioned by a homeowner who scoffed at the city’s new “green build” guidelines. The sustainable features he had in mind for his home, he told his architect, would trump anything the city required. And he was willing to spend a lot of money to include them.” ColoradoBIZ Magazine, November 2, 2009.

The WL55 was noted by the judges as one of the features in the homes that is marked for future expansion and usage in all building.  To see more about the awards and the winners visit ColoradoBiz Magazine at http://www.cobizmag.com/articles/csda-beyond-the-call-of-green/

·                   October 2, 2009    Las Cruces, NM and Boulder , CO -   Bob Pofahl, developer of Picacho Mountain and Michael Vail, President of Water Legacy, LLC have made Water Legacy’s Greywater Reuse system, the WL55, available to all home buyers in the Picacho Mountain.  Picacho Mountain is Southern New Mexico’s and El Paso region’s only certified build green community and Water Legacy is the only US built and IAPMO fully listed and certified greywater reuse system.  The two companies are natural partners for the promotion of greywater reuse.

·                   Building Green and promotion of conservation in a new home development is not new, but the commitment to lead in cutting edge technology, incorporation of greywater systems and supporting green building techniques through a show room of available technology is new.

·                   Water Legacy’s WL55 can save a home up to 40% of its water usage by simply recycling the shower water to use in toilet flushing. Homes Picacho Mountain development homes will be initially plumbed for this type of reuse system and homeowners can gain additional  points toward LEED and Build Green NM in a simple installation.

Visit www.picachomoutain.com for more info on this beautiful resort community.

In the Fall/Winter 2009 issue of Conservation Magazine they featured 14 homes making a difference through the use of sustainable products and solar energy.  Only one home, the Logan-Wiggins House 3 was able to claim water saving technology through greywater reuse in toilet flushing.  Jim Logan, a renown Boulder Architect chose the Water Legacy WL55 to recycle his shower and washing machine water for toilet flushing.  PLease visit the website of Conservation Magazine at www.ConservationCenter.org/e-solarweek.htm for more information. 

On Sunday August 30th, 2009, the Denver Post featured an article special to the Washington Post regarding the water crisis in America.  Why this is not front page news, we do not understand, but it is fact.  Water conservation is one of the first steps individuals can make to secure our water future.  Greywater reycling is the answer for most consumers.  We need the plumbing officials, state regulartory personnel and builders to see the way of the future by using greywater to flush your toilet.  One way they can do it is through requiring new homes to install a greywater recylcing system. 

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13218205

U.S. water supply is running out

Water Legacy’s WL55 has its own Youtube video.  Check out the link at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbschsK_tNk