The art of conservation
By Frank Ruggiero
ruggiero@wataugademocrat.com

When it comes to water conservation in Boone, Andrea Gimlin agrees that every drop counts.

But so does artwork.

In that respect, the town of Boone has picked a new set of winners for its third annual Every Drop Counts Poster Contest.

Gimlin, water conservation coordinator, was pleased to see 97 participants this year, all hailing from elementary schools connected to the town’s water system – Hardin Park Elementary, Appalachian Christian School and Two Rivers Community School.

“I’m very proud of how the teachers embraced this program,” Gimlin said.

The poster contest was held for area second-graders, though first- and third-graders were encouraged to make posters for fun – and the chance to win a pizza party if their class had 100 percent participation.

Three classes had such participation – Ms. Queen’s class at Hardin Park, Ms. Leni’s second- and third-grade class at Two Rivers and Mrs. Roberts’ first- and second-grade class at Appalachian Christian.

“All three will be taking a field trip to the water treatment plant, and they’ll have a pizza party, compliments of the town of Boone,” Gimlin said.

Field trips aren’t reserved only for contest participants, though. Gimlin said anybody could call her for a tour of the plant, which demonstrates how water is drawn from the source, treated and distributed throughout the municipal system.

On the other hand, certain prizes are exclusive to contest winners, such as Matthew Harwell, whose poster took first prize. Harwell, a student in Mrs. Hyler’s second-grade class at Hardin Park, wins a bicycle and helmet, as well as a $100 savings bond.

Also, Harwell’s artwork will be featured on this year’s Every Drop Counts T-shirt.

Second prize went to second-grader Indi Holt of Ms. Leni’s class at Two Rivers. Holt will receive a $40 Wal-Mart gift card and a $75 savings bond.

Third prize was awarded to Holly Elizabeth Greene of Ms. Cottrell’s second-grade class at Hardin Park. Greene wins a $20 Wal-Mart gift card, as well as a $50 savings bond.

The posters were judged by various members of town staff and elected officials, and Gimlin said the decisions were not easy. Since there were so many participants, many of the entries made for a tight race. As such, Gimlin presented a handful of honorable mentions.

Receiving honorable mentions are Bianca Smart of Ms. Leni’s class, Sarah Phillips in Ms. Queen’s class, and Olivia Michael and Sam Taubman in Ms. Blackburn’s second-grade class at Hardin Park. Each will receive an Every Drop Counts T-shirt, featuring Harwell’s winning poster.

The winners will receive their awards at the May 15 regular meeting of the Boone Town Council, to be presented by Mayor Loretta Clawson and Boone Public Utilities director Rick Miller.

Though the poster contest is wrapping up, the conservation campaign’s season is just beginning, with plenty of projects planned for the summer and fall. For instance, a new program coming this summer is a rain barrel giveaway.

Rain barrels are used to collect rain water, which can then be used for gardening, watering and sundry purposes. The first part of this effort will see 12 to 15 rain barrels placed throughout Boone on town-owned property.

The water will be used for town plants and gardens.

In July, August, September and October, two rain barrels will be given away per month, and interested parties may stop by public utilities to register for the giveaway. In June, folks can register online at the public utilities Web site.

The town will also be sending each town resident and business a leak detection tablet for use in toilets, which, if leaking, can be the biggest water waster in the common household. A person needs only to drop the tablet in the toilet tank and wait 10 to 15 minutes to see if any colored dye seeps into the toilet bowl. If so, then there is a leak.

Along with the tablet, though, will be an entry form for the rain barrel giveaway. Rather than drawing names at random, Gimlin is hoping participants will take the time to register. “I want [the winner] to be someone who actually is going to use the rain barrel, and someone who takes the time to register will probably use it,” Gimlin said.

The tablets, along with other water conservation devices, like a low-flow shower head, toilet flap and faucet aerator, are available in water conservation kits. These kits are free to town residents, provided they complete a complimentary home water audit.

Otherwise, they cost $9. Water audits are also available for businesses.

As far as water audits are concerned, the town intends to practice what it preaches, Gimlin said, as this summer, public utilities will reassess properties from last year’s town-wide water audit. “We’ll see if our recommendations were put into place and evaluate our own progress with water conservation from last year’s audit,” she said.

For more information on Every Drop Counts, call Boone Public Utilities at (828) 266-1183 or visit www.townofboone.net/departments/pu/water/index.html on the Web.