A science teacher at Stevens High School and Northside ISD's recently-retired energy manager were lauded at the 2008 WaterSaver Awards for their commitment to water conservation and protection.
The San Antonio Water System annually honors local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals who demonstrate innovative approaches to conserving water in the areas of technology, education, and business.
Frank Thomas, NISD's longtime energy manager, received the 2008 WaterSaver Leadership Award. Through his membership on the SAWS Community Conservation Committee, Thomas helped create a pilot program to retrofit 1,190 high-flow toilets in NISD schools.
The program saves about $115,000 annually in sewer and water costs, and provided a model that quickly expanded to all school districts, colleges and universities within the SAWS service area, saving more than 100 million gallons of water per year. In addition, Thomas spearheaded a program to replace 257 spray heads in school kitchens to save another $80,000 a year.
Sherie Gee, aquatic science teacher and Advanced Placement environmental science teacher at Stevens High School, was the recipient of the 2008 WaterSaver Educator Award for her dedication to water literacy. As a sponsor with SAWS' Student Water Action Team service learning program for high school students, Gee led her team in a water quality study of Heritage Duck Pond in northwest San Antonio. Their findings helped identify potential sources of pollution and possible solutions.
"When we began this event 12 years ago, saving water was a novel concept in San Antonio," said Karen Guz, SAWS Water Conservation Director. "These winners and the precedents they are setting have provided great models that have been adapted and used by others at the local, state, and even national levels."
Northside has had an extensive
energy management program in place for the past 16 years that works to protect both the environment and taxpayer dollars, said Jim Martin, Northside's Assistant Superintendent for Facilities & Operations.
The District's energy conservation measures have received statewide recognition numerous times, including the Outstanding Government Organization Award at the 2007 Clean Air through Energy Efficiency Conference. The Texas Education Agency features the District's energy management program as a
"Best Practice," and the program was selected as one of 12 "wildly successful" initiatives in the state to be featured in Texas School Business magazine's first annual
"Bragging Rights" issue.
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