Castle Rock Teach by Example Final Report

• Project Type: Ag/Muni Grant
• Contract/PO #: C153616
• Applicant: Town of Castle Rock
• Project Name: "Teach by Example" - Water Conservation Make Over at Three Homes
• Title: "Teach By Example" Program Final Report
• Date: 6/1/1995
• County: Douglas
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Final Report

SUMMARY

The crux of the "Teach By Example" program was to retrofit three average Town of
Castle Rock residential water and sewer customers households with interior water
conserving devices and exterior water conserving landscapes. The premise was for all
techniques applied and materials used to be identified and correlated to the costs involved,
and water savings achieved. These findings would then be the foundation for the formation
of an incentive credit program offered to all customers. This program would offer rebates
to those implementing water conserving measures, with the rebate amount based on the cost
of the item installed and the amount of water savings expected, as defined by the data
analysis of the results in the first stage of the program. .

The goal was to create public stimulus to conserve water through a practical local
"cause" and "effect" example of the implementation of water conserving techniques and its
translation into monetary savings on water and sewer bills, thus positively impacting the
municipal water supply as a whole.

When an organization considers a project of this type, let them consider again, and
again, and again. Is there staff available to really implement the project? Are the results
worth the input? The Town Utilities Department had not before undertaken a project of this
significance. Right off the bat, the Town of Castle Rock wishes to thank the State Office of
Water Conservation for the opportunity to take part in such a far reaching program. We
learned several things we expected to learn, and many more unexpected lessons took place.

One of the first things an organization needs to decide formally, as a whole is
whether they are truly committed to the project. They must estimate the level of
involvement required, and then double it. A focal position must be allowed to administer
the project, but illl participants, council, commission, staff members, as well as members of
the public must be committed to the fulfillment of predetermined goals, and willing to see
the project through the seen and unseen obstacles that will arise. An organization should
thoroughly consider their objectives, and the ramifications of the implementation of those
ideals.

We felt like we had a relatively good handle on the planning stages of our project,
but in reality, more precursory foot work could have streamlined program execution.

~___.f

The "Teach By Example" program was promoted through the distribution of a Town-
wide newsletter to all customers. The logistics were outlined and applications were
included so that participant selection was equitably defined. Finalists were selected by
review of the Water Conservation Sub-Committee, a group of individuals consisting of
members of the Public Works and Utility Commission of the Town of Castle Rock, a
directive of Town council; staff members; and interested credentialed Town residents.
Selection criteria included average unit family size, age; location, age and size of the home;
distribution system pressure zone identification; consumption and payment history as
determined through utility billing records; irrigated area square footage, plant material;