Water and Energy Measured in Fish, Dollars and Cents

T his is a quiz. What do plumbing fixtures, bug sprays and light bulbs have in common?

A.  Nothing I can see. I'll bet this is one of those trick questions PPRC is always slipping into their quizzes.
B.  Yeah, yeah, they're all connected in a cosmic sort of way. Is PPRC going woo-woo on us?
C.  They're all connected to salmon.

        The answer is "C," salmon, the iconic fish of the Northwest. Salmon runs are declining as a result of numerous pressures exerted by human activities. Two sources of pressure on salmon are water and energy - how they're used and managed. (Find out more by reading "Upstream: Salmon and Society in the Pacific Northwest," published by the National Research Council. On line at http://books.nap.edu/books/0309053250/html/index.html.)
        Using water and energy more efficiently and, in the case of water, keeping it clean from contaminants, are pollution prevention strategies beneficial to salmon and bottom lines.
        A study published earlier this year by Portland State University's Center for Watershed and Community Health indicated that there are ample opportunities for businesses to use environmentally beneficial waste reduction strategies to reduce their costs. Data from 137 Northwest businesses showed they had achieved at least $42 million in gross savings from water conservation, energy efficiency, and waste reduction measures between 1992 and 1999. "By getting more 'environmentally efficient'-using less energy, water, virgin feedstocks or toxic material to produce the same level of output-firms can cut their costs while protecting streams, salmon and the environment," the report said. (To read the report, visit http://www.upa.pdx.edu/CWCH/, click on "Publications," then "Salmon Economics."
        The reported savings are peanuts compared to the calculated potential. "Our study finds that the percentage of businesses and other organizations in Washington and Oregon who are actively engaged in voluntary resource efficiency efforts are at or below 6 percent of the total firms in their sectors; in the majority of cases, the figure is below 1 percent," the document said.
        "What that tells me is that there are a lot of low-cost opportunities out there for cleaning up the environment," said report co-author Dr. Eban Goodstein, an economics professor at Lewis and Clark College in Portland.
        Below are thumbnail descriptions of the pressures on salmon related to water and energy, P2 opportunities, and how they benefit salmon and businesses.

WATER EFFICIENCY
        Problem: Inefficient water use can reduce stream volume and increase water temperatures to levels harmful to salmon.
        Solution: Efficient water use can keep stream flows healthy for fish and keep water temperatures cool.
        Business Benefits: Cooling system modifications, efficient fixtures and appliances, and water reuse/recycling are measures that can reduce water and sewer bills. Basin Frozen Foods, a potato processor in Warden, Wash., reduced water use 29 percent, or 80,000 gallons daily, through small efficiency measures. The efficiencies enabled the company to expand production and fulfill contract obligations to a food manufacturer.
        Quick Tip: It pays to do product research before buying water-efficient toilets for your business. For pointers, visit http://www.cityofseattle.net/util/
efficientToilets/purchaseTips.htm.

STORMWATER
        Problem: Stormwater running off impervious surfaces can erode soils, damage stream channels, and pollute streams with oil, grease and other toxics. (Turn to Page 6 of http://www.salmoninfo.org/tricounty/documents/urban234.pdf for a description of urban stormwater issues.)
        Solution: Keeping impervious surface to a minimum and keeping runoff clean can reduce erosion and stream pollution.
        Business Benefits: Managing surface water to keep pollutants from traveling off site can reduce liability risks and may allow for business growth in areas with constrained infrastructure. For example, the Bemis Company, a bag manufacturer with a plant in Vancouver, Wash., installed a system to collect stormwater, filter it through a two-stage biofiltration pond, and return it to the ground. By keeping stormwater out of city sewers, the project opened the way for a plant expansion, plant engineer Guy Davis said.
        Quick Tip: If it's necessary to store process materials outside, cover them. It's not hard. Find out more at http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/covs.pdf.

PLANTS & SOILS
        Problem: Disturbed, compacted soil leads to increased stormwater runoff and erosion. Poorly selected plants may require a lot of water, fertilizers and chemicals to get by.
        Solution: Healthy soils clean water and release it slowly to streams, preventing channel damage. Reducing fertilizer and pesticide use can reduce loading of excess nutrients and toxics in streams. (See http://wa.water.usgs.gov/pugt/fs.097-99/index.html for a report on pesticides in urban streams.)
        Business Benefits: Selecting the right plants for the right locations, composting, and instituting integrated pest management programs (IPM) can reduce watering, fertilizer and pesticide expenses for landscaping. For example, the Oregon Golf Club in West Linn avoids pre-emptive spraying for turf diseases. Sokol Blosser Winery in Dundee, Ore., has eliminated herbicide applications.
        Quick Tip: Give landscaping only the water plants need. Find out more at http://www.cityofseattle.net/util/
onepercent/docs/wisewatering.pdf.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
        Problem: The Northwest (outside Alaska) obtains more than half its electricity from hydropower dams. Managing rivers for hydroelectric production can lead to a more hostile river environment for salmon.
        Solution: Energy efficiency makes up for power generating capacity lost to river management changes designed to benefit salmon runs. (See http://www.nwppc.org/plan/chapter4.htm#E9E20 for a description of the Northwest's power system.)
        Business Benefits: Installing efficient lighting, purchasing Energy Star office equipment, upgrading to efficient motors, and commissioning buildings are among the cost-effective measures that reduce energy bills. Bright Wood, a Madras, Ore., millwork plant, will cut its annual energy bill $72,000 and will experience less equipment wear and tear as a result of controls that allow for fan speed adjustments.
        Quick Tip: Turn computers off at closing time. Find out more about computer energy management at http://wwwext01.pge.com/business/
energy/smart/html/tenant_tips.html#office.
        So, how can businesses take actions that will cut costs, reduce risks, and benefit salmon? The Washington Department of Ecology worked with Whatcom County businesses and individuals on a community-based approach to adopting behavior changes that are good for business and salmon. Find out more below and also see examples of businesses and institutions that are improving water and energy management.

Community Takes Pledge for Clean Water
By Dave Misko

        Bellingham, Wash., has historically been home to many creative ideas for improving environmental protection and quality of life. The Whatcom Watersheds Project evolved out of the community's need to develop a comprehensive approach toward addressing local issues and setting priorities.
        In 1997, the Washington Department of Ecology began to identify common ground for a new approach to protecting and enhancing local water bodies. Using a "watershed approach," project participants tried to marry pollution prevention with long-term thinking in order to encourage behavior changes that would increase environmental protection.
        A key insight governing the program was that behavior change is more likely to come about if the message is delivered by people the target audiences find trustworthy. Ecology worked cooperatively with local stakeholders to form residential and business teams that developed voluntary pledge programs.
        Teams of "experts" from the community and government agencies were formed to implement project elements, which included business, institutional and residential "pledge" programs (see box below). Businesses, institutions and individuals were provided technical assistance to help them make changes in environmental behavior.
        Other project elements included sampling and monitoring to develop "before and after" data to assess the project's impacts on bodies of water, including Lake Whatcom, the local drinking water supply, and Whatcom Creek, a salmon-bearing stream.
        Measuring environmental indicators was critical to evaluating the project's outcomes. However, time frames for observing significant ecological benefits can far exceed the public's or government's attention spans. A great deal of baseline data was gathered for water quality characteristics, sediments, and the complexity of the macro-invertebrate community, an important indicator of salmon habitat quality. "Bug studies," in particular, have been recognized as a quick, inexpensive way of assessing the health of an ecosystem. Results from salmon along Whatcom Creek and its tributaries are showing encouraging results for urban streams.
        Behavioral change on the part of local businesses and residents has been somewhat easier to measure. The notion of a pledge — personal promises to improve practices that can be harmful to water quality — has been widely accepted. Businesses, for example, saw an obvious competitive advantage to participating in the pledge program. Nearly 96 percent of 400 firms that were contacted wanted information to "do the right thing," and 75 percent of those took a pledge to do so.
        While conducting fieldwork, obstacles were identified that prevented businesses from adopting specific P2 practices. In partnership with the city of Bellingham, the project developed ways to overcome obstacles. They included:

• An oil filter crusher was purchased and circulated among businesses to allow them to recapture used motor oil and recycle crushed filters.
• Car wash kits were shared to divert vehicle wash water to sanitary sewers. For each washing, the kits keep an estimated 600 gallons of wash water out of storm drains.

Dave Misko is a hazardous waste and toxics reduction specialist at Ecology who worked on the Whatcom Watersheds Project. Find out more at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/quality/awards/
oct99award_files/oct99award.html.

What Lies Beneath
Soils for Salmon is a preventive approach to salmon protection. Soil amended with compost has greater water and nutrient storage capacity. This reduces both volume and speed of runoff, protecting streams from erosive pulses of stormwater polluted with toxics and excess nutrients. Compost is being mixed into soils at the Redmond Ridge development in Washington.
Find Out More: Soils for Salmon resource

Stream Team
The City of SeaTac, Wash., is recruiting businesses for a Stream Stewards stormwater BMPs program. Des Moines Creek water quality will be monitored at outfalls below the businesses.
Find Out More: Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team, http://www.wa.gov/pswqat

Stormwater Management Well Grounded

        The Buckman Heights and Buckman Terrace development in Portland's Kerns neighborhood is like one of those "before" and "after" pictures seen in weight loss ads.
        Before Prendergast & Associates developed the 3.7-acre property, it was a stormwater blight: impervious surface covered virtually the entire property and most of the underlying soil had poor infiltration characteristics. Not a friendly place from a salmon habitat perpsective.
        Today, the site is occupied by an award-winning, mixed-use residential and commercial infill project with lots of native plant landscaping, tasteful architecture, and provisions for residents who get around with bikes and shared automobiles. The project was built with mainstream financing, architects and contractors.
        At buildout, the project includes 274 dwelling units and 43,000 square feet of commercial space. In addition to its stormwater infiltration system, the project's other salmon-friendly features include energy- and water-efficient fixtures. The development's proximity to transit services, and provisions for bicycles and car sharing, make it possible for residents to get by without private autos and the oily engine drips that can end up in streams.
        The stormwater management system includes swales planted with native landscaping, infiltration trenches, perforated pipe, and a demonstration "eco-roof." The eco-roof is overlaid with a 4-inch planting medium. The city estimates that the planting can hold a 10-year storm.
        So far, says Prendergast's Ed McNamara, the "low tech" stormwater management features appear to be effective in sending rainfall back into the ground instead of into the city's combined storm and sanitary sewer.
        Planning the project was not without barriers. McNamara said it took some effort to persuade the city to permit drainage of the project's second phase to an unorthodox infiltration system. It includes trenching lined with geotextile fabric, landscaped swale, and rock work that slows flows and facilitates percolation.
        "The cost (of the stormwater features) was not significantly higher and there is no reason it has to be," McNamara said.
Contact: Prendergast & Associates, 503-223-6605

New Thinking About Spraying in School

        Schools, kids, fish and pesticdes. Sound like a good combination? Northwest parents who don't think so have catalyzed the adoption of low or no-chemical policies for maintaining school grounds.
        At the new Sonoji Sakai Intermediate School on Bainbridge Island, Wash., a "no pesticides" rule was one of several salmon protection measures, including native vegetation protection and stormwater filtration, that resulted from a community-oriented construction planning process. A salmon stream flows on the school grounds.
        Pesticides and salmon don't mix well. Recent research (http://www.pond.net/~fish1ifr/salpest.pdf) has indicated that sub-lethal doses of pesticides that wash into streams can harm salmon physiologically by, for example, interfering with behavior patterns necessary for survival, such as schooling. A National Marine Fisheries Service study suggests that the insecticide diazinon can impair salmon's sense of smell. Pesticides also can bioaccumulate.
        At Columbia Elementary School in Mukilteo, Wash., a chemical-free grounds maintenance program was instituted as a result of parents' concerns about kids' health. Grounds are maintained by parent volunteers. Community support has been important for the success of the program so far, according to Dan Foster, the school district's grounds maintenance manager. "It's most effective when it's a grass-roots movement. When it comes from the community, you get immediate buy-in," he said.

Once More With Filtration
Hospital Central Services Association in Seattle, which cleans linen for area hospitals, installed a filtration system permitting reuse of wash water. The system is capable of reusing 80 percent of wash water.

Millennial Efficiency
Millennium Elementary School, which opened this fall in Kent, Wash., will collect stormwater in a vault that can hold 64,000 cubic feet. The water will be used for grounds irrigation. The boys' bathrooms have waterless urinals.

Putting Energy into Salmon Recovery

BUILDING SHELL & HVAC
Interesting Fact: The energy performance of commercial buildings can be evaluated with an Energy Star Buildings Benchmarking Tool, http://www.epa.gov/buildings/
label/html/benchmarking.html.
Project: Pacific Gas Transmission's Portland headquarters building includes a number of energy saving features: wall and roof insulation are double the levels required by energy codes, the building is oriented to reduce air conditioning requirements, high-performance windows selectively transmit light and heat, water for bathrooms is pre-heated by waste heat from computer rooms, and ice is made at night for daytime cooling requirements. The latter feature reduces the demand charge on the energy bill because the work is done at off-peak hours.
Energy Savings: The building is designed to save about $30,000 a year over what the energy code requires.
Non-Energy Benefit: The building's owner, Gerding/Edlen Development Co., can undersell the competition by about 50 cents per square foot because of the building's lower energy costs.
Details: Oregon Office of Energy, http://www.energy.state.or.us/bus/tax/pgt.htm

LIGHTING
Interesting Fact: T-8 fluorescent tubes have a higher color rendition rating than T-12 tubes, meaning lighted objects appear more natural. (Source: Pacific Energy Center, http://www.pge.com/pec/inftoc/fluoresc.html)
Project: The Richland Municipal Library in eastern Washington upgraded the lighting in its 30,000-square-foot building. The number of fixtures was reduced by nearly half. Inefficient ballasts containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a suspected carcinogen, were replaced with electronic ballasts. More efficient T-8 fluorescent lamps were installed. Sensors automatically shut off perimeter lighting when there is sufficient daylight penetrating the building through windows.
Energy Savings: The library's $50,000 annual maintenance and utilities budget will be reduced $12,000 per year, on an investment of $96,000.
Non-Energy Benefits: T-8 lamps offered improved color rendition. Glare on computer screens was reduced. Lighting levels on horizontal and vertical surfaces were increased.
Issues: The new lighting throws off less waste heat. The library's cooling system is now oversized, but the heating load has increased. The air circulation fan is run continuously during the heating season.
Details: Rebuild America, http://www.famusoa.net/ibs/proj/ornl/cs/cs.php3?001

COMPRESSED AIR
Interesting Fact: In a typical plant, compressed air systems leak 20 percent of the air they produce. (Source: Ingersoll-Rand, http://www.air.ingersoll-rand.com/AST/basic.htm.)
Project: A sawmill and veneer plant in the Willamette Valley optimized its compressed air systems, with the help of the SAV-AIR project sponsored by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (http://www.nwalliance.org). Before the upgrade, the compressors were run to meet peak demand at all times, resulting in an annual power bill of $175,000. Monitoring and control systems were installed, enabling the system to efficiently produce air in needed quantities.
Energy Savings: The changes reduced energy consumption by 1.3 million kilowatt-hours annually, saving $55,000 per year.
Non-Energy Benefits: The upgrade stabilized air pressures, allowing for more consistent production rates.
Details: http://coordination.nwalliance.org/coordination (go to SAV-AIR project site.)

SMALL BUILDING
Interesting Fact: Programmable thermostats offer as much as a 50 percent rate of return. (Source: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Network, http://www.eren.doe.gov/energytips/hvac.html.) Project: The Georgetown Gospel Chapel in Seattle added insulation and new windows, upgraded to long-lasting compact fluorescent lighting, and installed plumbing fixtures, including showerheads and toilets.
Energy Savings: The church is saving $5,000 per year on its energy bill.
Non-Energy Benefit: Longer-lasting lighting fixtures mean church volunteers don't have to make risky trips up ladders as often to change burnt-out lamps. Also, the building shell improvements enabled the church to get rid of a gas furnace, saving on future maintenance costs.
Details: Energy Star Small Business (http://www.lisboa.com/clients/epa/hp.nsf)

FANS & MOTORS
Interesting Fact: Manufacturers could reduce the energy usage of industrial electric motors by 11-18 percent through proven efficiency technologies and practices. (Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Industrial Technologies, http://www.oit.doe.gov/bestpractices.)
Project: The Stone Consolidated paper mill in Steilacoom, Wash., upgraded a blower system used in its wastewater treatment system. Microprocessor controls enabled the plant to reduce blower motor power requirements by two-thirds.
Energy Savings: The upgrade reduced power usage by 6.6 million kilowatt-hours per year and will save $3.7 million over 15 years.
Non-Energy Benefits: The wastewater treatment system runs more efficiently and removes pollutants more effectively.

Green Building Attitude Adjustments 1. Bring consensus early from all stakeholders on green project goals. 2. Include all stakeholders in the big decisions and address their concerns with green designs. 3. Exercise holistic problem solving skills to balance budget constraints against capital-intensive green design. 4. Work with patience and tenacity. Eva Matsuzaki, principal architect for the C.K. Choi Institute for Asian Research, University of BC. Source: Environmental Design & Construction magazine, http://www.edcmag.com/ archives/7-98-09.htm

Easy Money

A. A new manufacturing plant turning out engines with breakthrough propulsion technology
B. Diversification into a trendy restaurant chain favored by dot commers
C. Training employees to turn off computers when not in use
(Answer)

Idaho Health Conferences
        The Idaho Governor's Safety and Health Conference and the Intermountain Conference on the Environment will be held in Pocatello from Nov. 14-16, 2000. The joint symposium will feature seven concurrent sessions dealing with issues concerning health, safety, agriculture, mining/construction, manufacturing and the environment. Conference fees are $100 for all three days.
        For agenda or other information, contact Idaho State University by phone at 1-800-753-4781 or 208-282-3155, or by e-mail at isuconed@isu.edu.

Soils for Salmon Conference
        Oregon's first Soils for Salmon conference will be held Friday, Oct. 20, 2000 at the Oregon Zoo in Portland.
        Soils for Salmon is a preventive approach to salmon recovery and restoration. The goal is to improve the characteristics of urban soils through compost amendments so they can carry out the ecological services of native, undisturbed soils: storing water, cleansing runoff, and supporting the healthy growth of soil organisms and plants.
        To find out more or to register, contact the Urban Watershed Institute at 503-657-6958, extension 5104.

Climate Wise Forum
        A Climate Wise peer exchange forum will be held on Monday, Oct. 23, 2000, at the Seattle Center. The purpose of the forum, to be held from 8 a.m. to noon, is to promote information exchange on resource efficiency and other practical solutions to global warming.
        Participating Climate Wise companies will highlight actions they have taken that reduce their costs, improve their operations, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
        For more information about the forum or about Climate Wise, contact Jack Brautigam at Seattle City Light, 206-684-3954 or jack.brautigam@ci.seattle.wa.us. Or visit, http://www.epa.gov/climatewise.

Sustainable Business Symposium
        "Challenging the Environment of Business" will be the theme of the annual Sustainable Business Symposium, to be held Nov. 3-5, 2000 at the University of Oregon in Eugene. There is no charge to attend.
        Through panels, speakers and workshops, the conference aims to foster a solutions-oriented dialogue among business, environmental, social, academic and civic groups looking for solutions to complex social and environmental problems while ensuring profitable businesses.
        For more information, visit
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~sbs/.

Portland Fuel Cell Seminar
        The 2000 Fuel Cell Seminar, scheduled Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 2000 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, will feature demonstrations and discussions about commercialization of fuel cells for stationary and vehicular applications.
        The meeting will provide a forum for information exchange among the academic community, manufacturers, and buyers.
        Agenda and registration information are available online at http://www.gofuelcell.com, or by calling 202-973-8671.

Spokane Surplus Store
        The Habitat-Spokane Builders Surplus Store accepts surplus building supplies from contractors and individuals. By establishing the Surplus Store, Habitat-Spokane is saving donors disposal costs and providing them with a tax deductible way to reduce waste.
        The store resells the building supplies at thrift store prices. Proceeds support Habitat-Spokane's work to build homes for low-income families.
        The store is located at 850 E. Trent. To donate surplus materials, contact Brent Stapleton at 509-535-9517. Volunteers interested in more information about Habitat for Humanity and/or the Building Surplus Store should contact Kathy Brown at 509-535-9517.

Green Skiing Charter
        A total of 160 large ski resorts have endorsed the Environmental Charter for Ski Areas, produced by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). The charter was developed with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and in consultation from environmental organizations.
        The charter commits the industry to ongoing environmental performance assessments and setting improvement goals. NSAA will collect data from resorts annually and issue progress reports.
        To find out more, or to see a list of resorts that have signed the charter, visit http://www.nsaa.org and click on "Environmental Charter." Signatories include two resorts in Alaska, five in Idaho, eight in Oregon, seven in Washington, and two in British Columbia.

PPRC Report Offers Green Purchasing Help

        GREEN PURCHASING: Environmental, or "green" purchasing is the focus of the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center's latest topical report. You can view it on line at http://www.pprc.org/pprc/pubs/topics/envpurch.html.
        Green purchasing is the practice of integrating environmental criteria into purchasing and supply chain management decisions. Reducing costs, improving workplace safety, gaining a competitive edge, and building markets for environmentally preferred products are examples of benefits.
        The report provides a comprehensive list of electronic and printed resources, including:
        • General resources from government agencies, non-profit organizations, trade associations, and others
        • Case studies
        • Product certification sites
        • Product resources covering buildings, vehicles, cleaners, furnishings, office equipment, paper products, and more.

        INTERESTING NEWS: Every week, PPRC e-mails the Interesting News, a summary of on-line articles covering a wide range of environmental topics, including air, water, waste, toxics, energy, buildings, transportation, agriculture, environmental management, and many others.
        For more information, or to get on the distribution list, contact Jim DiPeso at jdipeso@pprc.org.

        FLUORESCENT TUBES PROJECT: The Waste Information Network (WIN), which PPRC is coordinating, has gotten busy on a fluorescent lights recycling project. Fluorescent lamps, or "tubes," used in commercial buildings contain mercury, a hazardous constituent. Building owners and managers have the option of avoiding the paperwork associated with hazardous waste disposal if they recycle burnt-out or obsolete tubes. A WIN workgroup is planning an outreach and technical assistance project to help the regulated community dispose of tubes properly. A meeting for lighting contractors will be held Oct. 26, 8 a.m.-10 a.m., at the Lighting Design Lab in Seattle.
        To find out more about WIN activities, contact Chris Wiley (cwiley@pprc.org), or visit the WIN web site at http://www.pprc.org/win.