WaterMatters
WaterMatters is a quarterly newsletter that is delivered as part of the water customer's invoice mailing. The newsletter is also available as a link to the online billing statement. The attached newsletters are 2-page pdfs.
Summer 2010: First anniversary of free, online water bill payment options; stormwater rate reduction credits available for: RiverSafe Home partnership, rain barrels, rain garden, cistern, or drywell; correction for the 2009 Water Quality Report; why your tap water may appear briefly reddish; ways to avoid the spread of West Nile virus; single-stream recycling starts July 5th; prevent backflow problems; Urban Forest Management Plan underway; groundwater well inventory.
Spring 2010: New online consumer's guide to tap water; footing drain disconnection free program and benefits; no phosphorus needed for healthy lawns and river; stormwater rate-reduction credits available; online Parks & Recreation registration; 10th annual Mayor's Green Fair on Main Street; new single-stream recycling coming July-August 2010.
Winter 2009/10: Highlights on innovative stormwater projects at Pioneer High School, W. Stadium, DDA parking lot; street snow plow tracking available at www.a2gov.org/snow; winter travel safety tips; sidewalk snow removal requirements; solid waste winter set-out tips; Barrier Busters update; online billing an option of choice; road salt application considerations.
Fall 2009: Online water payment option serves 20% of our customer base; use online water usage tracking tools to save water and money; protect water meters and pipes from freezing; fall street leaf pickup schedule is posted at www.a2gov.org/leaves; fall parks class catalog available at www.a2gov.org/parks; donate to Barrier Busters Unmet Needs Fund through your water bill; safety tips at www.a2gov.org/walkbikedrive; sign up for new, monthly resident online newsletter at www.a2gov.org.
Summer 2009: Free online water bill payment now available; stormwater rate reduction credits available for: RiverSafe Home partnership, rain barrels, rain garden, cistern, or drywell; tape household batteries before recycling; remove mosquite breeding areas; subscribe to city's e-mail updating service; a reminder to drivers and bicyclists to share the road.
Spring 2009: New processes in place at the Ann Arbor Water Treatment Plant; renovations to begin at the Wastewater Treatment Plant; no phosphorus needed for healthly lawns and river; prevent water backflow; Mayor's Green Fair on Main Street June 12; parks classes posted at www.a2gov.org/parks
Winter 2008/09: Thanks for helping to reduce phosphorus in the Huron River; online services win national award; environmental impacts of snow, salt, and sand; protect water pipes from freezing; you can donate to Barrier Busters
Fall 2008: Online Citizen Request System (CRS) available; protect water pipes from freezing; discount compost available; fall street leaves collection schedule; bike commuting on rise; online registration for park offerings; Barrier Busters Unment Needs Fund; pedestrian and vehicle crosswalk rules
Summer 2008: Mary Beth Doyle Park and Wetland Preserve protects water quality; pharmaceuticals in water test results; stormwater rate reduction credits available for: RiverSafe Home partnership, rain barrels, rain garden, cistern, or drywell; remove mosquite breeding areas; checking your online water usage can help save money
Spring 2008: Thanks for not using phosphorus (if you fertilize your lawn); prevent water backflow, stormwater rate reduction credits available; parks classes posted at www.a2gov.org/parks, Mayor's Green Fair on Main Street is mid-June; May 5-9 is Water Quality Awareness Week; city's Assistance Fund donations through the water bill help those in need
Selected WaterMatters back issues for key topics
Winter 2007/08: Footing Drain Disconnect (FDD) grants available, more information at www.a2fdd.com
Summer 2007: New! Track your water usage online; changes in stormwater rates coming
Winter 2006/07: How much does your water cost? Typical daily uses and ways to reduce water expenses; phosphorus lawn fertilizer ordinance begins; garbage disposal use in A2 helps feed healthy microbes in the Wastewater Treatment Plant; automatic water bill payment option available
Fall 2006: Don't rush to flush old medications--securely wrap and trash instead! details at www.dontflushdrugs.com; Huron River Film Festival; Protect our waterways at leaf collection time