****************************************************************** 


                    NEWS RELEASE FROM THE

                 CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION



****************************************************************** 

For immediate release: March 30, 1995


                   SAN JUAN WATER DISTRICT 
                HONORED FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY


The San Juan Water District has been named an Energy Efficiency 
Showcase by the California Energy Commission, which praised the 
district's resourcefulness in saving energy.

Located in Granite Bay, the district is one of only 10 water 
suppliers to be selected for the Commission's Energy Showcase 
project.  Sixteen wastewater districts were also selected from 
the more than 4,000 water and sewer agencies in California.

"The Showcase program was designed to reward and spotlight 
energy efficient water suppliers like this one," explained 
Commissioner Jananne Sharpless of the Energy Commission.  
"With their dedicated approach to energy use, the operators of 
the San Juan Water District serve as models for other water 
professionals around the state."

San Juan provides water to approximately 180,000 customers in 
Orangevale, Cirtus Heights, Granite Bay, and portions of Folsom 
and Sacramento.  To help cut its utility costs and save energy, 
the district replaced many of its pump motors with high 
efficiency models, and installed variable speed drives which 
slow down pumps during periods when less water is needed.  It 
incorporated an innovative filter system design that 
significantly reduces pumping requirements, and even improved 
the efficiency of lighting in its facilities.  Many of these 
projects originated from employee suggestions inspired by the 
district's unique reward program which encourages workers to 
come up with cost-saving ideas.
  
Reducing water use also saves significant energy, since less 
water needs to be pumped and treated.  To help its customers 
conserve, San Juan operates several education programs for 
school children, homeowners and businesses.  A 10-acre 
water-efficient garden will soon open at the district's 
headquarters to illustrate water-saving landscaping ideas.  

As a participant in the Energy Showcase project, the San Juan 
Water District will serve as a demonstration site, allowing 
other water suppliers to learn from its accomplishments.  

"The Energy Commission is encouraging every water supplier 
and every wastewater agency in the state to become as energy 
efficient as possible," said Sharpless.  "It makes good 
business sense.  Californians spend over half a billion dollars 
a year to pump and treat their water and sewage.  If every 
agency could cut its energy bill by 10 percent, the savings 
statewide would result in an additional $50 million a year that 
could be used to replace old pipes and aging infrastructure, 
improve water quality and increase the amount of water recycling."


                               # # #


For more information, contact:

Jim English
General Manager, San Juan Water District (916) 969-2279

Rob Schlichting, California Energy Commission (916) 654-5159


End of file
File Name:95-03-30_San_Juan_Water_Awar