A reminder to our customers with lawn irrigation systems or swimming pools: Make sure your installation includes backflow prevention.

Without such protection you stand the risk of water from your swimming pool or lawn irrigation system flowing back into the plumbing system in your home.This can happen if there’s a loss of pressure in the water system in your neighborhood caused by a water main break or some other problem.

This danger can be easily prevented by installing a backflow prevention device. Check with your contractor to make sure this protection was provided when your system was installed. Backflow prevention is required by law wherever a water piping arrangement exists that could allow undesirable water to enter your drinking water system as a result of backflow.

Questions about cross connections or backflow prevention? Call BWL Water Quality Administrator Bill Maier at 702-6813, or Water Delivery Engineer Bill Beauchaine at 702-6800.

Lansing residents just got a new option for trash collection. It’s a new 95-gallon roll-out trash cart that costs $45 for three months of service.

Other “Blue Billy cart” options include the following:

· 21-gallon cart — $30.25 for three months of service

· 32-gallon cart — $32.90 for three months of service

· 65-gallon cart — $37 for three months of service

If you’re looking to cut down on your trash pick-up, remember that the city’s recycling drop-off site now accepts materials 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Materials now accepted include corrugated cardboard (please don’t place in your green bin), telephone books (don’t place these in your green bin, either), and mixed paper and junk mail (these are accepted in your green bin).

The recycling transfer station is located at 530 E. South Street. Questions? Call the city’s Waste Reduction Services at 483-4599.

Trimming and removing trees around power lines is one way we’re working to provide you with safe and reliable electricity.

Falling or swaying tree limbs are the biggest single cause of power outages. It’s not just a matter of convenience, either. A power line rubbing against a tree limb is a serious safety hazard for anyone who comes into contact with that tree.

Our tree maintenance workers are professionals who follow accepted tree-trimming practices. Keeping our lines clear from tree limbs and other obstacles is a full-time challenge, and we depend on you to support our efforts.

The BWL will notify you when maintenance work is planned in your neighborhood or along your property line. We’ll try to reach you personally, but if you’re not home, we’ll leave a tag on your door, letting you know we’re working in your neighborhood.

Now in its fourth year, the Energy Star® Change a Light, Change the World campaign is an annual challenge to switch to lighting products that have earned the Energy Star as a way to save energy, money, and protect the environment.

The average home has about 30 light fixtures. By replacing the five most frequently used light bulbs with models that have earned the Energy Star, consumers can save more than $60 a year in energy costs.

Light bulbs and fixtures that have earned the Energy Star last six to ten times longer than standard products, and feature advanced design, style, convenience, efficiency and environmental benefits.

For more about Energy Star’s Change a Light, Change the World campaign, click here.

Or, call Urban Options at 337-0422.

Most of us take food for granted. We have plenty and never worry about our next meal.

Unfortunately, many families in our community do not have such a luxury. In 2002, the Greater Lansing Food Bank served 17,259 families (52,370 people). Half of those receiving food were children. As the economy struggles to recover, more adults and children are in need of food this year.

The Food Bank urges you to make a contribution this year. A gift of $53 will feed a family of four for six days. Your generous support will make a difference in

our community.

There are easy ways to participate. To donate on-line, click here,  or send your donation to Greater Lansing Food Bank, c/o Bank One, P.O. Box 11065, Lansing, MI 48901-1065.

Lansing’s Silver Bells in the City celebration ushers in the holiday season in our community again this year.

The November 21 event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and features an Electric Light Parade

on Washington Square, stepping off at 6:10 p.m. The parade is immediately followed by the lighting of the official Michigan Holiday Tree and (weather permitting), a spectacular fireworks display over the State Capitol.

Your Board of Water & Light is proud to be a signature sponsor of this free community event.