Conservation Foundation, Stockholm's Brew Pub join in water conservation campaign
As part of World Water Week, The Conservation Foundation is partnering with Stockholm's Brew Pub in Geneva to emphasize that clean drinking water isn't free.
Beginning Sunday, Aug. 26, Stockholm's will charge patrons 25 cents per glass to remind them that the glass of water in front of them required water to wash it, to make the ice in it, and will require more water to wash it again after anything left in the glass is thrown away.
All proceeds will go to The Conservation Foundation to support its clean water efforts in the community.
"From a server's perspective, it's really frustrating when a group of six people sit down at a table and one person orders a round of water for the entire table and then we end up clearing five completely untouched waters," said Robb Cleave, a part-time server at the pub.
Cleave, who also works as volunteer coordinator for the Kane County Forest Preserve District, said he wanted to change people's perception on how water is used. He did some research and when he found that the Stockholm International Water Institute in Sweden was behind the whole thing the tie-in was pretty obvious.
He talked it over with Stockholm's owner, Geneva native Mike Olesen, who liked the idea, but he wanted to donate the money to a worthy organization.
The Conservation Foundation's commitment to clean water and particularly in the Fox Valley region made them a perfect fit.
"Robb is full of passion, he's all about good things in the world, with one of those being water conservation," Olesen said. "Starting on Sunday the 26th, we're planning to give it a run through the end of October. I'm really hopeful that the community will embrace what we're trying to do."
Olesen said since his pub relies so much on water, it's important to start a conversation about the importance of water conservation and water quality. He also added that it takes three gallons of clean water to make a gallon of his "delicious beer."
Stockholm's is located at 306 W. State St. in Geneva.
More information on World Water Week can be found at worldwaterweek.org.
The Conservation Foundation is one of the region's oldest and largest nonprofit land and watershed conservation organizations, with more than 4,000 members. Founded in 1972, The Conservation Foundation has helped preserve more than 35,000 acres of open space, restored and cleaned miles of rivers and streams, and educated thousands of kids by engaging them in nature and the outdoors.
Its mission is to improve the health of our communities by preserving and restoring natural areas and open space, protecting rivers and watersheds, and promoting stewardship of our environment.
Work is focused in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties to preserve and restore nature in your neighborhood. Find out more at theconservationfoundation.org.
Follow www.facebook.com/TheConservationFoundation/ or twitter.com/TCFHeron.