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<br /> <br />Utility Services <br />Water & Wastewater <br /> <br />ATTACHMENT A <br /> <br />~ of Fort Collins <br /> <br />May 14, 1993 <br /> <br />Dear Study Applicant: <br /> <br />I am pleased to inform you that you have heen accepted to take part in our water use research study as <br />a participant. We would like to offer you a place in group 2, as you requested on your application form, <br />on a first-come, first-served hasis. The purpose of this letter is to explain the research study in detail. <br /> <br />Overview of Study <br /> <br />t <br /> <br />The City of Fort Collins Water Utility is conducting the study, with financial support from a state grant. <br />The objective of the study is to' determine the water saving benefit of adding organic matter to <br />landscaping soils, with "real life" watering practices. With the high-clay soils typical to this area, a <br />standard recommendation is to incorporate organic matter into the soil prior to landscaping. This <br />improves the structure of the soil, which provides unquestioned horticultural benefits. This practice also <br />theoretically results in less water wasted from run-Qff. However, it is not known if people adjust their <br />watering habits to take advantage of the potential water savings. <br /> <br />In the study, landscape water use will be compared between two groups. Group 1 will be composed of <br />those who choose not to add composted manure and Group 2 will be composed of those who do choose <br />. to add the material. All participants will receive the same educational literature on efficient landscape <br />watering. . <br /> <br />Participation in the study is limited to new home owners within Fort Collins for two reasons: (1) new <br />homes are required by law to be metered for water use, which is essential for gathering data in the study, <br />and (2) in order to limit the number of variables, the landscaping work for all participating homes needs <br />to be done during the same growing season. <br /> <br />Each participant will receive $25 to compensate them for the minimal amount of time in providing <br />research data. Group 2 participants will receive an additional $75 to partially offset the cost of amending <br />their soil. . . <br /> <br />Participant Obligations and Benefits <br /> <br />In the study, participants will need to: (1) give about one hour of time to provide information, (2) adhere <br />to the study guidelines for landscaping work, arid (3) allow a researcher, infrequent access to their yard <br />for gathering data. (Landscapes will not be altered or harmed in any way by the research.) <br /> <br />In return, p:n.ticipants will receive: (1) $25 or $100 financial compensation, as previously stated, (2) <br />" ' educational information on efficient lawn-watering, and (3) the satisfaction of contributing towards a <br />i worthwhile study, the results of which will benefit water conservation efforts in Fort Collins and other <br />"""'/ <br />_/ communities, nationwide. <br /> <br />1'.0, Box 580 . Fort Collins, CO 80522.05HO . e,en) 221,66Hl <br />