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<br />program focused on students grades two through eight, with over 20 classroom visits, and <br />one of the schools is now preparing to begin their own Xeriscape garden. <br /> <br />Homeowners Association xeriscape grants- Since 2005, Aurora Water has sponsored a <br />competitive Xeriscape grant program for HOA's in collaboration with the City of Aurora <br />Neighborhood Liaison program. This program assists in converting highly visible and <br />high water use landscape to a xeric design. It includes educational and water saving <br />components and has had approximately 10 applicants per year. <br /> <br />Research- Several research plots are utilized to gain information on irrigation, plant <br />selections, and maintenance alternatives. These research plots include non-irrigated <br />plants, water harvesting, shrubs for street medians, sub-surface drip in turf, low water <br />vegetable gardening and Plant Select. Knowledge gathered from experimental plots is <br />used in classes, articles and policy creation by Aurora Water. <br /> <br />Intern program- Every summer the program hires three summer interns from regional <br />colleges. Interns are required to create and present at least one class and complete a <br />project that counts toward college internship credit. <br /> <br />Intergovernmental/ interagency coordination- Currently the Xeriscape staffworks <br />closely with several other Aurora departments to design and implement Xeriscape <br />plantings around city buildings. <br /> <br />Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional conservation program- Aurora Water joined <br />the newly formed Northern Colorado Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (No CO ICI) <br />working group in 2005. This partnership of cities and water conservation districts tal<es a <br />regional approach to water conservation. 2006 entailed selection of and gathering of <br />benchmarl< data for the restaurant, hotel/motel, school, and nursing homes sectors. In 2007 <br />staff will use benchmark data to develop water conservation education and outreach <br />programs targeted to the restaurant, hotel/motel, school, nursing home/retirement <br />community, hospital/medical center, and shopping center sectors. <br /> <br />Exception Reporting and Leak Investigation- Aurora Water's Customer Service division <br />tracl<s high water use consumption that falls out of the normal parameters for all water <br />accounts. These exceptions are then investigated for possible leaks that could explain the <br />anomalous readings. All identifies leal<s are repaired or recommended operational changes <br />are identified to the water user. <br /> <br />ORDINANCES <br /> <br />Lawn Permit Ordinance-This ordinance requires that Aurora Water customers who install a <br />new lawn or enlarge or rehabilitate a significant portion of an existing one, incorporate at <br />least 4 cubic yards of organic matter for every 1000 square feet of area into the soil to a depth <br />of 4-6". During drought restrictions this permit also accommodates an establishment period <br />outside of a day per week schedule. <br /> <br />14 <br />