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B. Water Wise Conservation Program Grant CITY OF CHANHASSEN 7700 Market Boulevard PO Box 147 Chanhassen, MN 55317 Administration Phone: 952.227.1100 Fax: 952.227.1110 Building Inspections Phone: 952.227.1180 Fax: 952.227.1190 Engineering Phone: 952.227.1160 Fax: 952.227.1170 Finance Phone: 952.227.1140 Fax: 952.227.1110 Park & Recreation Phone: 952.227.1120 Fax: 952.227.1110 Recreation Center 2310 Coulter Boulevard Phone: 952.227.1400 Fax: 952,227.1404 Planning & Natural Resources Phone: 952.227.1130 Fax: 952.227.1110 Public Works 1591 Park Road Phone: 952.227.1300 Fax: 952.227.1310 Senior Center Phone: 952.227.1125 Fax: 952.227.1110 Web Sile www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us ~ - MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJ: Todd Gerhardt, City Manager Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist May 12, 2008 ~ . WaterWise Conservation Program and Grant This spring, the city was awarded a $21,000 grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to implement a water conservation pf.ogram for city residents. The program is intended to educate residents on the importance of water conservation and provide incentives for use reduction. The program's goal is t6 reduce residential water usage by 5% this year. Below is a description of the main components of the program. The WaterWise Conservation Contest: Residents may register for a water conservation contest in which prizes will be given to the residents that can reduce their household water usage by the greatest percentage throughout June, July and August. The grand prize includes $50 in Chan Bucks to be used at participating Chanhassen businesses and a City Pack, which includes merchandise, coupons and passes to local businesses and attractions. Other prizes include a Mini-City Pack. The deadline to register for the WaterWise Conservation Contest is May 16, 2008. The Water Wise Energy Star Rebate Program: Beginning in April, rebates will be given to residents who purchase water-saving appliances and fixtures that arc Energy Star or Water Sense qualified. A $50 rebate (or cost of item, whichever is less) will be given for water-saving, Water Sense qualified fixtures and a $100 rebate (or cost of item, whichever is less) for Energy Star qualified dishwashers and washing machines. A limited number of rebates are available. For a complete list of Water Sense qualified products, visit the Water Sense website at: http://www.epa.qov/watersense/. For a complete list of Energy Star qualified products, visit the Energy Star website at: http://www.enerqystar.qov/. The WaterWise Landscape Rebate Program: Also beginning in April, residents and business owners will be given the opportunity to apply for a landscape grant to install landscaping features on their property that will reduce the amount of household water used for irrigation purposes. To qualify, residents must submit an application, landscape plan, and list of all plants and materials to be used (landscape plans may be sketched or hand-drawn). Accepted applicants will be reimbursed $2.00 per square foot of project area completed, up to $250. Applications for the WaterWise Landscape Rebate Program will be accepted until August 1, 2008. A limited amount of rebate funds are available. Eligible landscaping features may include: raingardens, prairie plots, shoreline restorations, vegetated swales, streambank restorations, native plant beds, trees The City of Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play. Mr. Todd Gerhardt May 12,2008 Page 2 and shrubs. Note: Annual, invasive, and non-native plant species are discouraged and will not be eligible for reimbursement. To download a WaterWise Landscape Rebate Program Application, visit www.cLchanhassen.mn.us/serv/nresourc.html. Irrigation Audits: Qualified residents may volunteer to receive a free audit by an Irrigation Professional to determine if their irrigation system is working properly, on an appropriate irrigation schedule, and how they can conserve water and save on watering costs. The audits will take place in July and August. The City will be contacting residents who are qualified to receive the free audit offer.