NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 28, 1998

THE CANS ARE COMING!
THE CANS ARE COMING!

CARY, NC -- The Town of Cary is beginning its door-to-door distribution of one inch "tuna cans" today to encourage homeowners to limit outdoor irrigation to one inch, once a week, preferably in the morning. The cans will be accompanied by a flyer which tells citizens how to use the can to know when their lawns have had enough water. Can distribution will occur over the next several weeks as Town solid waste staff delivers more than 26,000 cans on their regular garbage routes.

"The cans are good, practical tools as well as excellent attention-getters," said Jennifer Platt, Cary’s Water Conservation Specialist. "Basically, citizens should put the cans in their yards when they’re getting ready to water their lawns, and once the can is full, stop watering. That’s all the water the lawn needs until next week."

In addition to educating citizens about one inch of water, Town officials are encouraging everyone to do any necessary irrigation in the early morning, preferably before 8:00 a.m., rather than in the evening. In the morning, Town water reserves are full, and its easier for the water plant to meet heavy demand. Watering in the morning is also better for lawns and shrubs because excess moisture does not sit on the plants all evening.

Additionally, the Town is appealing to residents and businesses with private irrigation wells to follow the Town’s water conservation program. "It’s very confusing when people hear our watering messages but then see others watering during the day or at night," said Platt, who pointed out that most people don’t know that a private well might be being used. "The ideas raised in our Tuna Can Plan are appropriate for all types of water users, and we really want everyone in the community to participate."

Cary’s Tuna Can Plan is part of the larger "Beat-the-Peak 98", the Town’s most aggressive water conservation campaign to date. The goal of "Beat-the-Peak 98" is to significantly reduce Cary’s peak water demand by promoting wise water use, especially outdoors.

Just in the last few weeks, demand on the Cary-Apex water plant has climbed more than fifty percent, peaking on May 20 at over 16.6 million gallons of treated water. This number is significant because the water plant has a maximum productivity of about 16 mgd. When demand is higher, additional water is purchased from Raleigh and Durham, up to a maximum total of about 22 mgd. If demand approaches 22 mgd, the Town may have to implement mandatory water conservation regulations which could prohibit all non-essential water uses including irrigation, washing cars, filling pools, and serving water in restaurants. Last year, demand peaked at 19.8 mgd in July.

"We hope that citizens will use this opportunity to learn better ways to use the water they have," said Town Manager Bill Coleman. "I believe we can meet demand again this summer if we all work together to use our water wisely."

"Beat-the-Peak 98" stretches over a six month period and involves a multifaceted approach to informing and educating citizens on a variety of water-related topics by utilizing all available information mediums. In addition to the Tuna Can Plan, "Beat-the-Peak 98" has three other primary components:

In June, citizens will receive Landscaping Cary Style, a new monthly Town publication which focuses on different landscaping topics that promote good water practices, such as planting drought-resistant trees and shrubs, choosing the best type of grass for this area, water wise irrigation methods and tools, proper soil preparation, and water wise landscaping planning and design. Landscaping Cary Style will be posted on the Town’s website as well as distributed to the media. Pocket-size versions will go to Cary homeowners via utility bills, and displays will also be placed in area lawn & garden centers.

Also in June, Cary will unveil its "When-to-Water Website", a new section of the Town’s existing website designed to give important information about water use and usage. Citizens will know the current weather conditions and learn how these factors should impact their watering decisions. "When to Water" will also track daily water demand so that the community as a whole can see how it is doing in the total conservation effort.

Finally, the Town will continue recruiting volunteers for its Block Leader Program, the grassroots communications effort between the Town and neighborhoods designed to give residents the latest information on important issues facing their community. Block Leaders spend between three and five hours a month learning about specific Town programs and sharing what they’ve learned with their neighbors. Subjects will include water conservation, recycling, and other environmental topics.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS: Jennifer Platt, Water Conservation Specialist, 462-3872
Bill Coleman, Town Manager, 469-4002
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, 460-4951