Go Greener Greenwich focuses on water

Summer is the time to get outdoors to work in the garden, enjoy a glass of lemonade under a shady tree, or head to the beach. It is also the time of year that many people take advantage of the water resources that surround us. So this June and July, the Go Greener Greenwich education campaign theme is water — “From Source to Sound.”

This program is being coordinated by the Greenwich Conservation Commission as a reminder to all residents to conserve and protect water resources in Greenwich.

The three-part series entitled, “From Source to Sound: Know Your Watershed Education Tours.” Join us for one, two or all three tours as we explore first-hand, the water resources we often take for granted. The series will begin Thursday, June 25, with an open house at our drinking water supply reservoir, follow tap water to a sewerage treatment plant on Wednesday, July 15, and end with an eco-cruise on Long Island Sound on Saturday, Aug. 1. All programs are geared towards families. The first two programs are free to the public and the cruise is $8.

Residents are also invited to visit the Cos Cob Library to view an exhibit, developed by the Greenfingers Garden Club, on water conservation. The display is now up and will run until Wednesday, July 1. All libraries in town will also have a selection of books on water resources throughout the months of June and July.

Go Greener Greenwich Partners are also offering a variety of programs focusing on water. On Saturday, July 18, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Audubon Greenwich is hosting a program on Home Composting Basics. Healthy soils are important to clean water and composting is one of the easiest ways to conserve and protect water resources in one’s yard. Call the Audubon  for more information. The Bruce Museum’s Seaside Center opens Sunday, July 5, at Greenwich Point. Summer hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 to 4. Greenwich Point Beach passes are required.

“Water usage in Greenwich goes up dramatically in the summer” Conservation Director Denise Savageau said. “Mostly due to outdoor use, our consumption goes from an average of 12 million gallons per day to more than 18 million gallons per day. During a heat spell, this can top 30 million gallons per day. This not only impacts supply, but it creates low flow conditions in the watershed.”

According to Sue Baker, conservation commission member, we need to look at both the quantity and quality of water.

“It is important for folks to understand the relationship between the watershed and Long Island Sound. Remember, what goes on the ground, goes in the sound.”

via acorn-online.com