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<br />and other water related materials. Brochures are also placed at a number of <br />public establishments as well as the District office, and various age-appropriate <br />materials are provided to the elementary and pre-schools. This program will <br />continue on an annual basis. During 2003/ several new methods were employed <br />to get information and useful materials out to the public; they included <br />participation in various community events such as the Home Show, County Fair <br />and 4th of July Parade. An extensive newspaper and radio add campaign was <br />developed relating primarily to outdoor water usage and water wise irrigation, <br />soil amendment, and proper landscape planning. The District participates in a <br />water conservation educational program for local grade school students on an <br />annual basis. <br /> <br />Water Rate Structures - PAWSD had an increasing water rate structure designed <br />to encourage water conservation. In early 2003 the rate structures underwent a <br />complete rate analysis with Integrated Utilities Group Inc. to design a structure <br />that further encouraged water conservation by rewarding reduced usage. The <br />new rate structure was adopted in July, 2003 and the customer currently pays for <br />each 1/000 gallons of water used plus a minimal monthly service fee. Previously <br />the service charge was a flat amount for up to 8/000 gallons per equivalent unit <br />with an additional charge for each 1/000 gallons over the minimum. The new rate <br />structure also allows for two additional rate tiers with increasing costs for each <br />tier. <br /> <br />Regulatory Measures - The District has the authority to assess penalties for <br />noncompliance with watering restrictions during different levels of water <br />conservation land drought response. Meetings with representatives of the Town <br />of Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County and other regulatory agents were held to <br />establish policies related to water efficient landscaping, plumbing fixtures and <br />prohibiting water waste. These meetings began in November, 2003; it is the <br />commitment of the District to encourage policy development to reduce water <br />usage overall, not just during times of short supply. One of the successful <br />outcomes from these policy meetings was the adoption of a Water Waste <br />Ordinance by various public entities as well as by the principals of several <br />private water systems. <br /> <br />The development of an updated Water Conservation Plan ("Plan") allows PAWSD and <br />its Board to better characterize its water supply system, customers and previous and <br />existing water conservation measures and programs. Updating the Plan will also <br />provide an opportunity for the P A WSD staff and its Board to learn about and become <br />invested in a wider variety of potential water conservation measures and programs, <br />focusing District resources on those activities that provide measurable and verifiable <br />water savings at a reasonable cost. <br /> <br />Although P A WSD maintains a reliable water supply, continued development in its <br />service area is expected to occur. As increased development occurs, increased water <br />demands are expected, both on a permanent and seasonal basis, since the transient <br />population reliant on P A WSD' s services will only increase in the foreseeable future. <br /> <br />4 <br />