Consuming water is a central theme at this year's Parade of HomesFor Immediate Release October 26, 2004 For more information, contact Carissa Frasca, Rubin Communications Group James City County, Virginia - The 2004 Parade of Homes will not only promote the latest interior design trends, but it will also feature the newest techniques in water conservation, all geared toward saving money and protecting the environment. The James City Service Authority along with the Peninsula Housing and Builders Association have teamed up to make sure this year’s Parade of Homes is a “Water Smart” one. Landscapers, contractors, and builders have created landscapes and homes that are not only attractive, but can withstand nature’s elements and help conserve water. In order to qualify as “Water Smart,” builders and contractors must meet a list of criteria, which range from properly selecting turf as a way to reduce water usage to installing energy efficient appliances like energy star rated dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers. The houses are evaluated according to a point system. If a home has an irrigation system, then the house and landscape must meet 18 points out of a possible 29 to be deemed “Water Smart.” If a home doesn’t feature an irrigation system then it must meet 10 out of 18 points. Various landscape contractors will be on location on Wednesday, November 3 and 10 for “Water Smart Days” at this year’s Parade of Homes (schedule is attached). Visitors will be able to talk with these experts about new techniques in irrigation and design. They will learn how to incorporate these techniques into new or existing landscapes. "Let's be Water Smart" is a public/private water management initiative of the James City Service Authority to promote responsible water usage. For more information, contact Beth Davis, James City Service Authority’s Environmental Education Coordinator at 757-253-6859. The 2004 Parade of Homes will take place Oct. 30 – Nov. 14 at Nottingham Place in Ford’s Colony. 13 homes will be featured. Show times are Monday – Friday, noon to 9 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $10 per person. Participating Water Smart partners were: Basnight Land & Lawn; Belden Landscapes; Cooke’s Gardens; Crafter’s Market in the Outlet Mall; Heart’s Ease Landscape & Garden Design; Henderson, Inc.; Precipitation Unlimited, Inc.; Smith Turf & Irrigation; ServiceMASTER LawnCare of Williamsburg; Turf Care; Turf Love; Virginia Cooperative Extension & JCC/W Master Gardeners Association; Vista Lighting; Waltrip Recycling; and Wild Birds Unlimited. The companies who have joined as “partners” recognize the benefits to using Water Smart principles when establishing landscapes. The fifteen local companies and their participating personnel are being recognized by the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Stewardship Virginia Program with certificates of appreciation signed by Governor Mark R. Warner and W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr., Secretary of Natural Resources, for their efforts in conserving and enhancing Virginia’s lands and waters and ensuring the health of our environment for present and future generations. "Not only did the LeBlanc-Piche`’s receive a great new landscape makeover, the television program produced will also serve as an educational tool demonstrating how to create a beautiful Water Smart landscape," stated Beth Davis, JCSA Environmental Education Coordinator.
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