Summer 2009 Newsletter - Village of Streamwood

8Go Green …Save Water, Save MoneyThe average household uses 350 gallons of water a day. Cut back on water usagewith common sense conservation. Here are 5 simple things you can do to helpcapture water savings around your home:1. Stop Those LeaksCheck indoor appliances for leaks. Homes can waste more than 10% fromhidden leaks, allowing water and your money to go down the drain. Call theWater Department at 630-736-3800 for help detecting leaks.2. Replace your ToiletToilets are the largest water users in the home. If your home was built before1992, it is very likely that you do not have a water-efficient 1.6 gallon perflush toilet. Check the date stamp inside the toilet by lifting the lid andlooking at the back of the toilet for the manufacturer's imprint of the makeand date.3. Replace your Clothes WasherThe second largest water user in the home is the clothes washer. EnergyStar rated washers use 35-50% less water and 50% less energy per load.This saves you money on both your water and energy bills.4. Plant the Right PlantsProper landscape design and irrigation can save a lot of money and time.Whether you are putting in new landscaping or slowly changing the currentlandscaping, select plants that are appropriate for local climate conditions.For plant suggestions, visit the Morton Arboretum website atwww.mortonarb.org.5. Water WiselyWater is wasted by watering when plants do not need it. Avoid water loss bywatering early in the morning. Set a timer. Don’t water in hot, dry weather;dormant grass will recover in the fall. You might also consider using a rain barrel.The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District has rain barrels for $40. Formore information, visit the District at www.mwrd.org or call (312) 751-6633.For more information on how to reduce water and energy uses, visit the U.S.Department of Energy at www.eere.energy.gov. Remember, every drop counts!VillageInformationE-RecyclingJoin the 2009Unity in DiversitySummer Celebration Parade!The Village’s Community Relations Commission will havea walking group in this year’s parade,with marchers wearing ethnic regaliaand carrying flags representing the various countries oforigin of Streamwood’s residents.Questions?Call Jennifer at (630) 736-3816.Summer Celebration is sponsoring an electronic recycling program at Village Hallthe week after the festival. July 27-31, 2009, electronic waste may be droppedoff at Village Hall. Simply follow the signs, which will direct you to the drop-offstation located in the garage behind Village Hall. Acceptable e-waste will includecomputers, CRT and/or flat panelmonitors, printers, copiers, householdbatteries, floppy discs, tapes,and CFL (mercury content) bulbs.Village staff will assist with the loadingof the materials into approvedcontainers. Drop-off times areMonday-Friday 6:00 am-4:30 pm.Help us help the environment!