Reflections on Water

May is Water Awareness Month! Pasadena Water and Power wants to remind everyone that our community still faces a water shortage.

Now that the rainy season has ended and summer is coming, it’s urgent that we all find ways to cut water waste.

You can save hundreds, even thousands of gallons per month with simple changes. Do you turn off the faucet while you’re shaving or brushing your teeth? Take shorter showers? Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes? Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or patio? Fix leaky plumbing right away? Water the yard twice a week or less?

Adjusting your watering schedule is a quick fix with big savings. Go to www.PasadenaSavesWater.com and use the online watering calculator, which takes into account the season, types of plants, locale, soil and irrigation system to tell you how often and how long to water. In most cases, it’s less than you think!

Brush up on your water-saving skills at a free residential landscaping class Saturday, June 21, from 8 a.m. to noon at Eaton Canyon Nature Center, 1750 N. Altadena Dr. The workshop will help you grow a beautiful, water-smart garden. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Email gacevedo@cityofpasadena.net or call 744-3715.  

Recycling CFLs in the Bright Thing to Do

Choosing compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) means big financial and environmental savings: They use up to 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer.

Making the switch comes with responsibility. CFLs must be recycled as electronic or hazardous waste because each contains a trace amount of mercury. (Never throw away a CFL in your regular trash can or blue recycling bin.) It’s a good idea to place your used CFLs in a sealed “safe disposal pouch” before bringing them to a recycling center, just in case they break in transit.

Beginning in June, you can find these recyclable pouches, along with drop boxes for used CFLs and batteries, at the following locations:

• Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.

• Villa-Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St.

• Victory Park Center, 2575 Paloma St.

• La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.

• Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave.

• Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd.

• True Value Hardware. 409 N. Fair Oaks Ave. and 1047 N. Allen Ave.

• Berg Hardware, 495 N. Allen Ave.

• Orchard Supply Hardware, 3425 E. Colorado Blvd.

• Ace Hardware, 370 E. Woodbury Rd.

You may also recycle CFLs and batteries any Saturday or Sunday at L.A. County’s SAFE Collection Center, 4600 Colorado Blvd. at San Fernando Road on the Los Angeles/Glendale border.

Mark your calendar for the Household Hazardous and E-Waste Round-up on Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rose Bowl Stadium’s Parking Lot K. In addition to CFLs, you may recycle a number of materials, from pool chemicals and used motor oil to cell phones and laptops.

If you accidentally break a CFL, follow the safety guidelines for cleanup at www.PWPweb.com/CFL.

Steer Clear of PWP Street Crews

Pasadena Water and Power trucks and crews are a common sight on Pasadena streets. They’re out there day and night, diligently working on master plans to keep the community’s water and power systems in top shape.

PWP technicians also work round the clock, rain or shine, to troubleshoot problems, handle routine maintenance and restore service as quickly as possible after wind storms, traffic collisions and other incidents.

Please keep in mind that utility jobs are already dangerous enough, and our crews must work in the street to access vital equipment. Safety is our top priority and we know it’s yours, too.

When you see a utility crew, please reduce your speed and stay clear. Watch for orange cones that delineate a safe path, obey any “slow” and “stop” signs or try an alternate route entirely. Detour signs are set up for long-term projects.

We’re Here to Help

You or someone you know may be eligible for Pasadena Water and Power’s financial assistance programs. Whether your needs are income- or health-related, we have a program to help.

The Pasadena Cares Program provides financial assistance to seniors and residents with disabilities, while the Electric Utility Assistance Program assists lower-income residents and families (eligible income levels were recently raised).

The Medical Assistance Program is for customers who rely on medical equipment, while Project APPLE provides one-time emergency financial help thanks to donations from PWP and its customers. (Call 744-7300 if you have specific questions about Project APPLE.)

Apply in person at any of the following locations:

• Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St.

• Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.

• Villa-Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St.

• Victory Park Center, 2575 Paloma St.;

• Neighborhood Connections, 1382 E. Walnut St. Learn more about these programs and eligibility requirements by visiting www.PWPweb.com/WeCanHelp or calling
744-6970.