In this issue: 
  • Community partnership
  • Co-operation is key to success
  • Water savings by the numbers
  • Get ready for Fall conservation
We're a proud community partner! 
The Cochise Water Project is proud to be a part of the proposed new Salvation Army community center. The non-profit just announced it has raised enough funds to break ground on its new facility, which will allow it to serve more community members in need.

The improved facility will sit next to the current Salvation Army center on Wilcox Drive and is being built with water savings in mind.

"Rainwater harvesting tanks are being included as part of the building design from the beginning," said TCWP Administrative Director Tim Cervantes. "The water will be used to flush toilets, as well as for any landscaping. We're really pleased to be involved in such an important community project, especially as this is the first time we've been a part of a building design from the ground up."

Co-operating to save precious water








Following a few  delays, the rainwater harvesting tank at the Sierra Vista Food Co-op is up and running. The toilets at the grocery store, used by both staff and customers, are now flushed with collected rainwater.

"We are very happy to see this project completed," said store manager John Glennon. "Harvesting rainwater goes very much hand in hand with our mission of sustainability and protecting natural resources."

This tank, funded by The Cochise Water Project, was also used to try a new filtering system which allows overflow water to be drained out once it becomes full. This screen, custom designed by Oasis Rainwater Harvesting and TCWP, stops the tank from sustaining any damage due to over capacity. These filter screens are now being fitted on all tanks installed through TCWP program.

Water savings - by the numbers
Our ongoing goal is to make a difference to the amount of water being used in the Sierra Vista Sub Watershed through our various programs. Here's a look at the impact we've had so far in 2015:
915 - the number of low flush toilets we've helped to install. Of these, 516 were in Sierra Vista, 311 were outside the city and 43 were installed within four miles of the San Pedro River.
14,047 - the number of square feet that saw high water use lawns and landscaping replaced by artificial turf in residential neighborhoods. That amounts to more than 420,000 gallons of water being saved every year.
220 - the number of 50 and 60 gallon rain barrels we've sold to area homeowners wanting to do their part to conserve water.
48 - the number of rainwater harvesting tanks we've helped to finance. The average capacity of those tanks is 1,746 gallons, which means potential annual water savings in the hundreds of thousands.

Make changes for Fall conservation





















Fall is now officially upon us, so what does that mean when it comes to saving water? Here are some tips on how to conserve all season long:
  • Change your sprinkler schedule - As the weather cools, lawns and plants need less water. Change your sprinkler timer and remember to turn it off if it rains. Better yet, invest in a weather-based irrigation controller and never worry about schedules again.
  • Check for leaks - Most toilet leaks go unnoticed and waste a lot of water. To check if you have a leak, put a couple of drops of food coloring in the toilet tank, don't flush and wait about 15 minutes. If the color seeps into the bowl you have a leak.
  • Get a jump on spring planting - The best time to plant is the fall, which also requires less water and will look great by spring time.
  • Invest in a rain barrel - Consider using a rain barrel to collect and store rainwater runoff through the fall and winter months. The Cochise Water Project has 60 gallon barrels available! Click here for more info.

 


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