NEWS & RESOURCES

Water in the News
We're excited to share information about local activities and recent events involving water! We also want to provide Thornton residents with additional resources about water conservation from sources outside the Thornton area. Bookmark this page and visit frequently to learn more about the latest buzz in the world of water.

Thornton Cares – Water Assistance Program

The Thornton Water Assistance Program is intended to provide short-term assistance to water utility customers meeting qualifying criteria. The Program period is June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2010. Water assistance of up to $225 during the program year may be provided . For more information visit www.cityofthornton.net/ThorntonCares/Water.asp.

2009 Harvest Fest Drawing Winners

Congratulations to the Water Saving Champions that won water efficient prizes at the Harvest Fest conservation booth. All Water Saving Champions were entered into the drawing to win. Congratulations to the following families:

Alvarado Family – EPA WaterSense High Efficiency Toilet
Arcelin Family – EPA WaterSense Low Flow /High Performance Bathroom Faucet
Williams Family – Oregon Scientific Rain Gauge and Outdoor Thermometer

Are you interested in pledging to save 10 gallons of water a day? Not only will you be saving water and money, you will be entered into drawings for cool water efficient prizes. It’s easy just click here to take action and start saving today.

Xeriscape Garden-In-A-Box Winner

Congratulations to Water Saving Champion - Rose Ludwig. At ThorntonFest we advertised a drawing to win a beautiful Xeriscape garden and Rose was the lucky champion. Take the pledge to save 10 gallons a day and be entered into future drawings.

Some of the water wise plants in the garden included: Coronation Gold Yarrow, Bearded Iris, Native 4'Oclock, Faassen's Catmint, Missouri Evening Primrose, Rondo Penstemon, Russian Sage, Pasque Flower, May Night Salvia, Purple Poppy Mallow, Coneflower.

Youth Water Festival, May 2009

On May 18, 2009, fourth and fifth graders learned about a variety of Colorado water topics. Kids from the cities of Thornton, Northglenn, and Westminster took part in the annual Water Festival at Front Range Community College in Westminster. The event offered a day of fun and educational workshops featuring active learning and hands-on activities. The Festival’s workshops were designed to teach students about water conservation, water chemistry, the water cycle, local water supplies, water treatment, Colorado water law, aquatic wildlife, ecology and more. One thousand and twenty five students and teachers attended the event. Thirty-five percent of the attendees were from Thornton schools.

Forty presenters representing local, state, federal, non-profit, and private businesses donated their time and energy for this event.  Among the 2009 Water Festival presenters were professionals from the CBS 4, Denver Zoo, Butterfly Pavilion, City of Greeley, Bureau of Reclamation, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Raptor Education Foundation, University of Colorado Science Discovery Program, Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation District, Great Western Institute, Mad Science of Denver, North Metro Fire Rescue, Colorado Mosquito Control, Carlson Hammond and Paddock, Bishop-Brogden Associates, Collins Cockrel and Cole and staff from the sponsoring cities. Volunteers from Westminster, Northglenn, Thornton and Golden also helped out.

ThorntonFest May 16, 2009

Fun was had by all. Many festival goers stopped by to try their luck with a spin of the conservation wheel and recycle toss game. The interaction with festival goers allowed staff to provide water conservation education and awareness. 65 Thornton Water Customers pledged up to save to 10 gallons of water a day, that's almost 20,000 gallons of water a month! The new pledges helped us surpass 1000 Water Saving Champions, with a grand total of 1034. Our new champions received a button that said, "I just pledged to save 10 gallons a day." We were visited by a flock of pink flamingos and by many of our current water saving champions who stopped by pick up conservation materials, including Xeriscape information and the Green Scene Conservation books.

"A Little Goes A Long Way" Photo Contest Winner

Congratulations to Trista Burdick for submitting the winning photo in the "A Little Goes A Long Way" photo contest.

Trista wrote..."In our home, a little goes a long way means washing Logan and the dishes at the same time!" We like the way this Water Champion thinks. Thank you for taking the time to share your water saving tip!

Email us your water saving tips at info@thorntonwater.com.

Free Irrigation Inspections
Slow the Flow Colorado
The City works together with the Center for ReSource Conservation to provide free irrigation system inspections to City of Thornton water customers. An irrigation inspection is a series of tests on an underground lawn irrigation system that determines how efficient a system is. Since 2005 residential, commercial and HOA Thornton water customers with underground irrigation systems have been provided watering recommendations customized to fit their irrigation system and landscape. One Thornton resident has said, "I learned so many ways to save water and maximize the growth and health of my lawn. Thank you very much for this service. This is the way tax dollars should be spent."

To sign up for your free inspection visit www.conservationcenter.org or call 303-999-3820 X217.

Six reasons you should get an Irrigation Inspection:

1. Save money on your water bill.
2. Improve the appearance of your yard.
3. Increase your water efficiency.
4. Maximize the life-span and effectiveness of your sprinkling system.
5. Receive a personalized watering schedule.
6. Because it's FREE!

2008 Coloring Contest Winners
Congratulations to our 2008 Junior Water Savers Art Contest winners. Grace Rampacek, Laura Gonzales and Cynthia Sanchez were awarded 1st place Certificates and a $30 gift certificate to Jungle Qwest by Mayor Erik Hansen at a recent City of Thornton City Council Meeting. A big thanks to all of our Junior Champion Water Saving Artists!!!

View art entries and water saving tips from our youngest Water Saving Champions on our Flickr page.