Group holds conservation campaign during 'brownout' season
By Angela Greiner Community Reporter

(l to r) Amy Beaudet, Tom Clingan, Rich Berte and Baha Javid, four members of Green Marlborough, hold low-flow faucet aerators, a low-flow showerhead, and information about energy and water conservation. PHOTO/SUBMITTED

Marlborough - Green Marlborough's first energy conservation campaigns were launched on Saturday mornings in front of the Marlborough Post Office. Now, the organization is once again gearing up for another Saturday morning educational mission. This time, the group of environmentally concerned residents is hitting the beat to promote water and electricity conservation.

Over the past year, Green Marlborough has promoted several energy-saving initiatives including using compact florescent light bulbs and reusable mesh shopping bags. Its mission is to create a healthy environment for people who live and work in Marlborough area.

Green Marlborough founder Jennifer Boudrie explained that members of the organization would be at the Post Offic e Saturday Aug. 16 and 23 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. In their eff ort to decrease the city's water and electricity consumption, they will distribute free low-flow faucet aerators and water-saving kits made available through Massachusetts Water Resource Authority. In addition, they will also provide information about obtaining a free energy audit through National Grid and NStar.

"August is the month that you are most likely to experience 'brownouts' because it is difficult for suppliers to keep up with demand," Boudrie said. "So we thought we should do something in August to educate and promote water and electricity conservation."

This information is confirmed by statistics from the city's 2006 Energy and Environmental Inventory, which shows that the city's water usage is about 125 million gallons in November and about 175 million gallons in August.

"This increased water consumption is largely due to irrigation," Boudrie said, "watering lawns by both residents and commercial properties. Grass goes dormant during the month of August ... It does not need all of the extra water. It will bounce back in September.

The average person uses over 150 gallons of water a day. Using rain barrels to catch water for outdoor irrigation and low-flow showerheads can be both economically and environmentally advantageous.

"Rain barrels are becoming very popular ... You can pick one up for about $50," Boudrie said. "Using the items can save your average home hundreds of dollars a weeks and save hundreds of gallons a week."

Although Marlborough does not presently have a water ban in eff ect, there is a larger concern attached to the city's water use, also outlined in the inventory. In 2006, it took over 2.2 million KWH of electricity to treat and distribute the city's water supply. By reducing water consumption, the city and residents save money and reduce their carbon footprint.

Green Marlborough members will also be distributing free test dye tablets. The tablets are used to determine if there are leaks in household water pipes.

"Many homes and businesses have leaks," Boudrie said.

By adapting a few items around the house, Boudrie is hopeful that residents can have a significant impact on the city's water use.

"A lot of people are skeptical of the low-flow showerheads ... I use them and they work beautifully. This is good for the city and the residents," she said.