Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. Implementation efforts must key on effective tracking of customer usage over time to <br />understand the impacts of selected measures and programs, and to determine if water <br />conservation practices effects customer water use. <br />. Educational programs such as H20 Joe and water festivals work very well to engage the <br />community (all ages, especially K through 12) and compliment all other types of water <br />conservation activities, noting that some of the best educational programs are performed <br />through regional cooperation and partnerships. <br />. Rebate and replacement programs using high-efficiency toilets, reduced flow urinals, and <br />high-efficiency washing machines have all been very effective programs for many utilities <br />and districts. They are relatively easy to cost and the water savings related to each program <br />can be readily calculated. <br />. More aggressive water rate structures and water budgets are being implemented in <br />Colorado with growing success. Water budgets have been shown to be equitable for single <br />family residential customers, can be developed where storm water utilities and other <br />databases on lot size exist, and can be readily "individualized". <br />. Inclined block water rates and water budgets can be easily explained to decision-makers <br />and customers, but either program needs to be integrated with educational activities to <br />engage and inform customers. <br />. Implementation activities typically need to be supported with the resources to field <br />complaints from customers, provide online resources for customers, etc. <br />. "Slow the Flow", which is an outdoor residential irrigation audit is a value resource for <br />helping to reduce single-family residential outdoor water waste (see Conservation <br />Resource Center, a Boulder-based non-profit). <br />. Water conservation is most effective and well received by the community if the water <br />utility and/or district lead by example demonstrating institutional wise water use and <br />water use efficiency. <br />. CWCB Grant program will be critical to some mid to small utility/special district <br />implementing water conservation measures and programs. <br />. Create a public relations program that is honest and direct, even if some of the news is bad <br />news. <br /> <br />. Water audits of large water customers can help create good will and save water -especially <br />with respect to outdoor water use by home owner associations. <br /> <br />Implementation - Challenges <br /> <br />. Developing and maintaining expectations can be difficult given that water use savings can <br />fluctuate with weather patterns, customer behaviors, local and regional media messaging, <br />etc. <br />. Difficult to maintain consistent programs without adequate resources, related to public <br />communications, program enforcement, inspections, rebates, etc. - anything that requires <br />staff involvement or follow-up. <br />. Need to develop and utilize customer friendly materials, which acknowledge language <br />diversity . <br />· Difficult to implement developer and contractor training programs (although they are very <br />effective in maintaining control over new construction and retrofits for indoor and outdoor <br />water use). <br />