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<br />for their time with a $25 check, in addition to a $75 rebate for the 50 homeowners <br />amending their soil. Literature will be distributed to the 100 homeowners either direGtly, <br />or via mail. <br /> <br />Group 1 homeowners will need to verify the fact that they purchased and incorporated <br />commercial compost. This will be accomplished by showing receipts, signing a contract <br />attesting to the compliance, and, possibly, field verification. An approved list of <br />commercial compost products will be developed, and included in the homeowner participant <br />information packet. These homeowners will receive their rebate via mail, fOllowing <br />verification. <br /> <br />The change in water use would be calculated as an integral part of the research study. All <br />of the 100 subject residences would be metered, due to this being one of the subject <br />selection criteria. As a water utility, we have ready access to the monthly water use <br />records of these homes. Landscaping water use would be calculated by subtracting the <br />indoor water use (as determined by average monthly winter use) from the total use during <br />the watering season. <br /> <br />The water use of the two groups would be analyzed with the appropriate statistical <br />measures, in order to determine the water savings resulting from the addition of organic <br />material and its associated statistical significance. <br /> <br />V, PUBLICITY IPROMOTION <br />Initial publicity for the research study will be gained through various methods such as <br />public service announcements, newspaper contacts, and direct transmittals to City Council <br />members and other local leaders. The project spokesperson for this effort will be Jim <br />Clark. <br /> <br />After the study is completed, a number of methods will be used to publicize the results on <br />a national, statewide, and local level. These include: <br />(1) Write and submit a journal article in an appropriate national trade journal or newspaper, <br />andlor give a presentation at a national water conservation or xeriscape conference. <br /> <br />(2) Provide a report to the State Office of Water Conservation, with their privilege of <br />disbursing the results in manners of their choosing. <br /> <br />(3) Include the results in all pertinent aspects of local public education, including xeriscape <br />and water conservation literature and presentations. <br /> <br />(4) Include the results as part of the promotion of any soil amendment rebate program that <br />may result from these findings. <br /> <br />4 <br />