Media Corner

For Immediate Release
August 31, 2006

Local Community Groups Get Paid for Saving Water

Carson, CA - The Central Basin Board of Directors presented the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and Pioneer High School of Whittier with checks totaling more than $15,000 recognizing their work on successful high-efficiency toilet (HET) distributions in their cities. The presentations at Monday's board meeting demonstrated the District's commitment to serving area communities.

The Lakewood Chamber and Pioneer High School are just two of several community groups that have participated this year in the District's recently revamped HET distribution program. Through their individual efforts, the two organizations distributed a total of 1,241 HETs to residents in the Central Basin service area, conserving more than 14 million gallons of water annually for the region.

"These check presentations allow us to publicly recognize and thank these organizations for their hard work and dedication in helping to conserve our water supply," said Central Basin Board President Bob Apodaca. "It's great to see community leaders and students taking advantage of this opportunity to help spread water awareness and raise funds for local programs at the same time."

The HET distributions are one of the District's most popular conservation programs. Through these events, the District partners with community-based organizations (CBOs) to promote and distribute HETs—water-saving toilets that use 1 gallon per flush or less compared to older models that use 5-7 gallons—completely free of charge to area residents. For each old, water-guzzling toilet that is returned for recycling, the participating CBO earns funding.

From the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, President/CEO John Kelsall expressed his appreciation for the District's conservation program before shaking hands with Director Phil Hawkins, who presented Mr. Kelsall with a check for $3,415.50. In April, the Chamber partnered with Mayfair High School to organize a joint HET event and distribute 500 toilets.

From Pioneer High School, Assistant Principal Audra Pittman was also in attendance to accept a check for $11,130.00 on behalf of the high school drill team and ROTC. In May, the students of Pioneer High successfully distributed 741 HETs to Whittier residents.

This year, the District has also partnered with Bell Gardens High School and Rio Hondo College from the City of Whittier to bring water conservation to residents within the Central Basin service area.

Since the program's inception in 1995, the District has distributed more than 40,000 low-flow toilets, conserving more than 350 million gallons of water annually for the region.