Clif Bar and BikeDenver are pleased to announce Denver Water as the April Bicycle Friendly Business of the Month. When Denver Water’s summer water use rules begin May 1, the utility will begin using bicycling monitors to reinforce good watering habits.
BikeDenver’s Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) of the Month Awards help highlight organizations that are making standout contributions and offering great success stories from among BikeDenver’s Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) Program members. The BFB program, with 100 honorees to-date, recognizes businesses, organizations and workplaces that are leading the way to make bicycling an easy and accepted form of transportation in Denver. Nominate a workplace as a Bicycle Friendly Business here.
“Half of a household’s water use goes to outside watering,” said Melissa Essex Elliott, Denver Water’s manager of water conservation. “Most lawns don’t need as much water as you might think. Watering your lawn two days a week should be sufficient during May and into June.”
The utility will continue to enforce its rules with a roving team of Water Savers. This year, four of the 11 Water Savers will be on bikes. The bicycle monitors went through a customized 9-hour safety training class, taught by BikeDenver.
“Our Use Only What You Need campaign is all about being efficient,” said Elliott. “We decided to have some of our monitors on bikes to save gas and to be more approachable. They will be talking with our customers one-on-one about wise water use.”
Denver Water’s watering rules, in effect until Oct. 1, are:
· No lawn watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
· Do not water more than three days per week (there are no assigned days for watering).
· Do not waste water by allowing it to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
· Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.
· Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
· Do not use spray irrigation while it is raining or during high winds.
If you see water waste in one of Denver’s parks, call 3-1-1. To report waste elsewhere, call Denver Water at 303-628-6343.
Water conservation is part of Denver Water’s long-term plan to secure water for the future. Efficient water use helps the utility postpone or avoid spending more money on other supply options and supports the preservation of Colorado’s natural environment. Denver Water’s goal is to make changes in water use habits a permanent way of life.
Senior City Planner for bicycle and pedestrian issues Emily Kreisa said: “It’s great to see workplaces like Denver Water integrate bicycles into their transportation fleet; and, that they are committed to educating their employees on safety and vehicular cycling skills”.
Denver Water proudly serves high-quality water and promotes its efficient use to 1.3 million people in the city of Denver and many surrounding suburbs. Established in 1918, the utility is a public agency funded by water rates and new tap fees, not taxes. It is Colorado’s oldest and largest water utility. www.denverwater.org
Clif Bar & Company started on a bike ride. Founder Gary took a bite of another energy bar and thought he could make a better bar. Today, Clif Bar is a leading maker of all-natural and organic energy and nutrition foods and drinks. www.clifbar.com
BikeDenver is Denver’s bicycle advocacy organization. BikeDenver promotes and encourages bicycling in Denver and works to make Denver a better place to ride your bike. Why? Because it’s healthy for you, and healthy for Denver. www.bikedenver.org
Bicycle Friendly Business of the Month Awards: Since partnering in July of 2009 to launch the monthly awards program, Clif Bar and BikeDenver have recognized Watercourse Restaurant, Historic Denver’s Story Trek, Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, Jones Lang LaSalle, Human Powered Transit Authority, Denver Pavilions, the Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado, Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop and Little Man Ice Cream.
More about BikeDenver:
See BikeDenver’s PSA’s and learn about the great reasons to ride in Denver: “Priceless” “Why I Ride”
You can help make a better place to ride a bike by becoming a BikeDenver member: Join BikeDenver!
Want to hear our zippy new radio PSAs? Click here!
Read about previous Bicycle Friendly Business of the Month honorees:
March 2010 – Little Man Ice Scream
February 2010 – Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop
January 2010 – The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado
December 2009 – Denver Pavilions
November 2009 – Human Powered Transit Authority
October 2009 – Jones Lang LaSalle
September 2009 – Downtown Denver Partnership & BID
August 2009 – Historic Denver’s Story Trek
July 2009 (Inaugural) – Watercourse Restaurant
