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<br />All 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 />A number of methods would be used to publicize the results of the survey on a national, <br />statewide, and local level. These include: <br />(1) Write and submit a journal article in an appropriate national trade journal or <br />newspaper, and/or give a presentation at a national water conservation or <br />xeriscape conference. <br />(2) Provide a report to the State Office of Water Conservation, with their privilege ____ <br />of disbursing the results in manners of their choosing. <br />(3) Include the results in all pertinent aspects of local public education, including <br />xeriscape and water conservation literature and presentations. <br />(4) Include the results as part of the promotion of any soil amendment rebate <br />program that may result from these findings. <br /> <br />3. In the past year and a half, the City of Fort Collins has developed a comprehensive 10ng- <br />range water conservation plan. This involved a great deal of time and research on the <br />part of City Council and Water Board members, and Water Utility staff. The water <br />conservation plan will be re-assessed on an annual basis, by comparing the progress in <br />lowering per capita water demand with the plan's goals. The plan will be revised as <br />necessary to meet the goals. <br /> <br />During the process of developing the plan, there was considerable discussion about the <br />potential water savings from the amendment of soils with organic materials, such as <br />composted manure. Methods considered for bringing this about included; (1) requiring <br />the procedure with an ordinance, (2) creating an incentive by offering a rebate for the V <br />amendment of soils, and (3) directing public education towards this practice. <br /> <br />The decision was made to take the third approach for the time being; to bring about the <br />amendment of soils by directing public education towards this practice. However, the <br />other two methods (or doing nothing at all) will be reconsidered during the future annual <br />reviews. It would be extremely useful in this decision-making to have some scientific <br />data on the water savings benefits of adding composted manure to landscaping soils. <br /> <br />During this water conservation planning process, a literature search was conducted to <br />determine the water savings, if any, from this water conservation measure. The existing <br />information is limited. Some of the information is anecdotal, without scientific founding. <br /> <br />2 <br />