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Where we Came From!
In 1992, Cochrane became one of the first communities in Alberta to recognize the need for wise and responsible water use by implementing a low-flow plumbing fixture bylaw, requiring all new homes to have water efficient plumbing and low flush (6 litre) toilets. Recently, Cochrane Town Council refocused its attention on water management issues, recognizing the importance of working with residents to contribute to a growing regional effort of wise and responsible water use.
In 2004, Council passed a Water Conservation Policy mandating a 25% reduction in residential water consumption by 2009. The Cochrane Environmental Management Committee (CEMAC) is working with the Water Conservation Project Team to develop a comprehensive water conservation initiative to achieve the goals of the Water Conservation Policy.
Why was this Water Conservation Policy passed?
Due to rising infrastructure costs associated with a rapidly growing community, the Town of Cochrane will need to share the resources we have now with future residents of our community. To do this, we need to change the way we think about water.
How do we get there?
The Town has hired a Water Conservation Project Coordinator Lisa Fox to work with two Community Education Assistants, Sue Milledge and Erin Romanchuk. This team will work with residents in their own back yards to learn more about how we can all use water wisely. They hope to visit approximately 500 households in the coming months to talk to residents about such things as; lawn care, xeriscape gardening, indoor and outdoor water conservation, rain barrel use, redirection of drain spouts, watering guidelines and water recycling.
There will also be a seasonal news letter, entitled the Water Wise Newsletter that will be distributed with the residential utility bills. This newsletter will have tips about how to conserve water and thus save time and money. So come back to this page frequently to see what's new and how we are doing with our new Water Conservation Initiative.
This page was last updated on August 25, 2005.
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