Water Conservation Challenge

The Water Conservation Challenge allows Monona residents to compete during Monona’s Year of Water. Monona water rates increased by 32% on November 1, 2011. Challenge participants will save water, save money, and maybe even win a big prize, too.

Registration ended December 1, 2011. Thanks to all those who entered!

We look forward to hearing your stories on how you’re saving water in your homes. Got a story to share? Email us: info@tnsmonona.org.

Contest Information – How it works:

Entrants’ meters will be read on January 3, 2012 and again on December 28, 2012. Then, your 2012 usage will be compared to your 2011 usage.

PRIZES

The first, second, and third place prizes will be won by the entrants who achieve the greatest percentage reduction in water use (compared to their own usage the previous year) during the year of the contest.

INNOVATION PRIZES

At the end of the Water Conservation Challenge, prizes will be won by the five entrants in the challenge with the most innovative methods of reducing water use, as judged by three water experts from outside Monona. Innovation Prize submissions are strongly encouraged. You may submit more than one method. Winning submissions will be ranked from 1 to 5, and, in that order, winners will get to choose the Innovation Prize they want. The prizes are:

1. A rain barrel from Fiskars.

2. A one-hour Permaculture consultation from Sustainability on Stilts.

3. Four oil change certificates from Monona Motors.

4. A $50 gift certificate from Crema Cafe.

5. One night in a Whirlpool room from AmericInn Madison/Monona.

Grand Prize and Innovation Prize winners will be announced at a special event in January 2013.

To submit an Innovation Idea, you must:

• Be a registered participant in the Water Conservation Challenge.

• Submit your Innovation Idea in a narrative form of 600 words or less to The Natural Step Monona office by October 31, 2012. Submit by email to: info@tnsmonona.org, or mail to: 207 West Dean Avenue, Monona WI 53716.

• Put your name in the heading (we’ll code your submission and remove your name before judging). Do not include names within the narrative.

Photos of your Innovation Idea are strongly encouraged, but please send photos of the project only. Photos that include people will be removed because we are looking for an even playing field with no bias from judges.

Innovation Ideas will be judged by these criteria:

1. How much water your innovation saves.

2. The clever reuse/repurposing of materials. New materials are not discouraged, but reused materials will be given preference.

3. How easily it could be adopted by others.

4. Whether it has tradeoffs: increased consumption of other precious resources or energy, or additional savings of precious resources or energy.

5. Innovation Prize winners will be announced in January 2013 at a special event. Date to be announced.

MONTHLY PRIZES

All contestants will be entered in monthly random drawings for additional prizes given by businesses supporting the Water Conservation Challenge. Monthly sponsors include Rutabaga Paddlesports, the Great Dane, Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 4Pillars4Health, and Crema Cafe. Do you want to support the Water Conservation Challenge by donating a prize from your business? Contact us at info@tnsmonona.org.

Congratulations to Carol Swenson, our January Monthly Prize Winner! Carol won: One canoe or kayak rental from Rutabaga Paddlesports, a gift certificate for Pilates or Body Work at 4Pillars4Health, a one year gift membership to The Natural Step Monona, and a gift card for Crema Café! Next month’s winner will take home a gift certificate for The Great Dane Pub and Brewing Company, one canoe or kayak rental from Rutabaga Paddlesports, a one year gift membership to The Natural Step Monona, and a gift card for Crema Café!

A special thanks to our Sponsors!

GALLON SPONSORS

QUART SPONSORS

PINT SPONSOR

Meriter Medical Group

RULES

The Contest is limited to residential customers of the Monona Water Utility.
In case of a tie, a drawing of winners will be held.
Water usage is measured for one year of billing from January 3, 2012 – December 28, 2012.
Contestants must register by December 1, 2011.
By entering the Contest, the entrant gives permission for the Monona Water Utility to use their water billing records for contest results and promotions.
One entrant per service address.
All contest results are final and are at the sole discretion of The Natural Step Monona and the City of Monona administration.

QUESTIONS? Email info@tnsmonona.org or monona@ci.monona.wi.us.

Water is the basis of all life and essential to almost every human enterprise. Please do your part to conserve it.

Water Conservation Links:

100 Ways to Conserve

EPA’s WaterSense Project

Ideas to conserve at work and at home

Other TNSM water posts:

Taking steps to save our water (2008)

Aging & Decaying Bring Life – Leaves Matter (2008)

The Benefits of Rain Barrels (2008)

From rain water to lake water, with us in between (2009)

Helping our lakes – some simple steps (2009)