FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 4, 2012
Contact: Stephanie Duer
c. 801-483-6860


Salt Lake City Awash in Water Week Activities May 6 - 12
Mayor Becker invites residents to take part in garden projects, lectures, films and more

SALT LAKE CITY –Salt Lake City and various organizations will celebrate Water Week, May 6-12, 2012, by hosting activities ranging from fly fishing and planting projects  to scavenger hunts and films.

Kicking-off Water Week will be several spring cleaning and planting projects at the City’s two water conservation demonstration gardens. Residents are invited to the Washington Square Garden (200 East between 400 and 500 South) on Sunday, May 6, at 10:30 a.m. and Monday, May 7, at 4 p.m. and the Greater Avenues Garden (11th Avenue and Terrace Hills Drive) on Monday, May 7, at 5:30 p.m. Taking part in the garden projects is a great opportunity for residents to support Salt Lake City’s conservation gardens and to learn about water-wise flowers and shrubs that use less water beautifully.  

“Semper Fi: Always Faithful,” an award- winning documentary detailing one of the largest water contamination incidents in U.S. history, will be screened on Tuesday, May 8 at the Main Library, 210 East 400 South, at 6:30 p.m. Shown in partnership with the Utah Film Center and the Utah Museum of Natural History, the film will be followed by a community discussion led by Salt Lake City Water Quality Administrator Florence Reynolds.

Barney Barnett of Willard Bay Gardens will share his knowledge of garden perennials in a lecture on Thursday, May 9, at the Main Library at 6:30 p.m.  Mr. Barnett’s lecture, titled “More Than a Pretty Face,” will highlight how gardens can be both water-wise and gorgeous.  

In 2007, Gov. Jon Huntsman signed HB 20, commemorating the first full week of May as State Water Week. The bill, sponsored by then-House Minority Leader and current Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, is intended to raise awareness of the importance of water conservation, source protection and other water issues in the state.

Available again this year are the Water Week Punch Cards, pocket guides to all the great events and an opportunity to win prizes. Punch Cards are available at any Water Week event, as well as Hogle Zoo, SLC Public Utilities Administration Office, and at the City/County Bldg Information Desk.
 
For more information and program details, visit www.slcgov.com/waterweek, or contact Stephanie Duer, Salt Lake City Water Conservation Coordinator at (801) 483-6860.