Courtesy of the Water Resources Association of San Benito County:
The Water Resources Association of San Benito County (WRASBC) sponsored its first annual Water Conservation Video contest and winners have been announced.
The contest was for high school and college students that live in San Benito County. The goals for the contestants were to inspire residents to conserve water by telling a story or creating a visual that inspires people to take action in conserving and/or using water efficiently.
The top three winners are San Benito High School students:
Michael Outman – 1st place ($1,000)
Chloe Bessette – 2nd place ($500)
Erik Dominguez Mojica – 3rd place ($300)
The winners will be honored in May during Water Awareness Month and the start of the irrigation season in San Benito County. The videos will be shown on the San Benito Live, BenitoLink and Free Lance websites.
The WRASBC represents the City of Hollister, City of San Juan Bautista, Sunnyslope County Water District and the San Benito County Water District for all their water conservation and water resource protection programs.
The WRASBC uses the three tools below to assist them in getting the community to conserve and use water efficiently:
1. Incentives: Toilet Replacement Program (rebates and free toilets), Landscape Hardware Rebates, Free Water Wise Landscape Plans, Water Softener Assistance and Rebate Program, FREE Home Water Checkups
2. Education: Workshops, School Programs that includes field trips to a water treatment plant and wastewater facility (transportation paid by the WRASBC), supplying a speaker to Service Organizations and government entities to explain water issues in San Benito County. Outreach also takes place at festivals, the Farmers’ Market and the San Benito County Fair.
3. Legislation: The WRASBC reviews landscape plans for compliance with the State’s Model Efficient Landscape Ordinance. The WRASBC assists people transition from self-regulating water softeners that use salt and/or potassium after ordinances were adopted by the City of Hollister and the Sunnyslope County Water District prohibiting the installation of these appliances. During extreme droughts, as in 2015, the WRASBC assists with enforcement of water restrictions.
For more information on the WRASBC call (831) 637-4378 or visit their webste at: www.wrasbc.org.
Photo: Provided by the Water Resources Association from a winning video
