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VTA Reduces Water Use with New Sustainability Program

San Jose, Calif. – The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has reduced water usage by 1.54 million gallons of water, equivalent to the volume of 2.3 Olympic sized swimming pools, in the first four months of 2008 compared with the same period last year. VTA conducted comprehensive water conservation assessments of 17 facilities with the support of the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Water Use Survey Program and Irrigation Technical Assistance Program (ITAP).

“Implementing water conservation strategies identified in the assessment is just one element of an extensive sustainability program that VTA has adopted in our commitment to being environmentally responsible,” said Michael T. Burns, VTA General Manager. VTA has already implemented many ITAP recommendations including: replacing older toilets, faucets and shower heads with more efficient models and by immediately correcting major irrigation problems at transit related facilities, park and ride lots, and light rail stations where major leaks were identified.

VTA’s next major water conservation effort will replace outdated irrigation controllers with more efficient weather based controllers, allowing maintenance staff to monitor changes remotely through a web based interface and to respond quickly and accurately to new leaks. This new system will reduce total water gallons per year used to irrigate transit facilities by 12.2 million gallons, a 40% savings.

VTA is reviewing other recommended water conservation prospects including the use of recycled water for irrigation, replacing high-water using landscape in heavily traveled areas with low-water plants or permeable hardscape, replacing high application sprinkler nozzles with low flow models, and enhancing the efficiency of bus and train washing facilities.

For more information about VTA’s Sustainability Program please call VTA Public Information at (408) 321-7575.

VTA’s Sustainability Program

VTA is committed to creating a greener Santa Clara Valley through its Sustainability Program. The program seeks to meet today’s needs without compromising future generations. VTA’s Sustainability Program will strengthen VTA’s commitment to the environment through the conservation of natural resources, the reduction of greenhouse gases, the prevention of pollution and the use of renewable energy and materials.

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About VTA
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; and countywide transportation planning. As such, VTA is both an accessible transit provider and multi-modal transportation planning organization involved with transit, highways and roadways, bikeways and pedestrian facilities.

For more information about VTA services, call VTA Customer Service at (408) 321-2300, (408) 321-2330 (TDD only). Or, log on to www.vta.org.