NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 4, 1999

CARY WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM TAKES EPA AWARD

CARY, NC – The United States Environmental Protection Agency has awarded first place honors to the Town of Cary’s water conservation program "Beat-the-Peak ‘98" in the Most Effective and Innovative Program category. Best remembered for its Tuna Can Plan, Cary’s program was the only water conservation program in North Carolina--and the only program outside of Florida in the Southeast region--to be recognized in any category this year. The EPA’s Municipal Water Use Efficiency Program gives first and second place awards in three categories each year to cities and others for innovative water conservation programs as well as programs on water reuse and flow reduction. Dozens of programs were considered for this year’s awards. Cary will be presented with its honor at the EPA’s Regional Awards Ceremony in Atlanta on October 25^th.

"’Beat-the-Peak ‘98’ offered many important water-wise ideas that we will continue to incorporate in our water conservation efforts for years to come," said Jennifer Platt, Cary’s Water Conservation Specialist. "One of the best things about our program was that we not only caught people’s attention, they heard our message and made a difference in their water usage."

Last year the system's water use was projected to peak at 20.6 million gallons, and the actual peak was 20.2 million gallons. In addition, the Town's highest-usage residential customers reduced their outdoor water use by 40% between 1997 and 1998.

In addition to the EPA award, the Town of Cary’s Tuna Can Plan took the National Silver Quill public relations award in this past year’s competition sponsored by the International Association of Business Communicators. The Tuna Can Plan also won first place for "Comprehensive Campaign" (beating out Pepsi's "Born in the Carolinas" campaign) and the Judges Award for "Best of Show" at the 1999 Sir Walter Raleigh public relations awards.

"Since government messages are competing against high-priced, commercial messages for people’s attention, it’s important for us to find innovative ways to reach our citizens if we are to make a real difference," said Susan Moran, Cary’s Public Information Officer. "We appreciate this recognition and look forward to future opportunities to develop smart, effective campaigns."

###