Gilcrest WC Project Final Report

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PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION A. Surveys A water use survey was distributed in July 1992, before the project started to identify the current level of knowledge and water use practices of Town residents. A secondary purpose of the survey was to educate readers. (See enclosure.) b. .ewsletters Six newsletters were mailed to every resident over the 2 year course of the project to inform residents about the water supply project and ways to conserve water. c. Public Foru.s Two public forums were held to provide information to residents about water conserving practices. The first one was held at the "Gilcrest Daze" summer festival and included samples of drought resident sod, information on measuring lawn irrigation water, a water conserving toilet device, water meters, etc. Water conservation literature was passed out and several staff were available to answer questions. The second forum was directed entirely to landscape water use and was held at the high school on a weekday evening. A slideshow by a master gardener was presented describing the principles of xeriscaping and an irrigation specialist presented information on efficient watering. Again, many free handouts were available on water conserving plants and landscape ideas and participants were encouraged to ask questions. d. Infor.ation at Town Hall A table was set up during the spring and summer of 1993 with free literature on water conservation methods, with particular emphasis on ways to reduce outside watering. Most of the handouts were provided by the Colorado Extension Service. (See enclosures.) e. Youth Education The Town coordinated with the elementary school to provide written materials, small prizes, and an assembly on water to the entire school. Field trips by all 12 classes were taken to the Town's water and wastewater facilities. The students were shown the Town well, pipelines, pumps, storage tanks, and blending valves to teach them where there water comes from and how it is treated and distributed. The classes were also shown the sewage treatment lagoons and taught about treatment processes. Water conservation ideas were discussed. The teachers followed up with drawings and thank-you notes which provided some feedback on what the children learned. (See enclosures.) PROJECT RESULTS There were no follow-up surveys completed, or statistical samples taken to determine if the knowledge rate of residents had changed over the course of the project. It is clear that behavioral ct