§ 31-141.23. Public education and awareness program.

Public education and awareness is an essential component of the water conservation program. Various strategies are used to communicate the need for and benefits of water conservation and to provide useful consumer-oriented information about water conservation practices and technologies to utility customers. The water conservation program currently disseminates such information through the following methods:

(1)

Bilingual presentations to schools, associations, and other civic organizations;

(2)

Participation in career day events at local elementary, middle, and high schools;

(3)

Publications of department flyers and other water-related documents;

(4)

Coordination of water and wastewater treatment plant tours;

(5)

Creation of water conservation videos and slide shows airing on public access channels;

(6)

Preparation of press releases, advertisements and other public relations messages;

(7)

Enforcement of water conservation and drought contingency plans through water conservation inspectors;

In order to further expand public education and awareness within the community, the following additional activities will be implemented by the water conservation program:

(1)

Provide water conservation literature and a water conservation kit to new utility customers at the time they apply for new service and to utility customers who report high water use;

(2)

Provide demonstrations and workshops regarding xeriscaping and efficient water management;

(3)

Implement a school education program for teachers and students at the local public and private schools using water curricula successful in other similar Texas cities;

(4)

Coordinate events that promote efficient water use and conservation such as: Fix-A-Leak Week, World Water Day, and Drinking Water Week;

(5)

Create a water camp during the summertime to expose children of all ages to rain harvesting, xeriscaping, testing water samples, and learning water conservation tips;

(6)

Update the department's website to include interactive activities for teachers and students; to post additional water conservation or water-related links; and to maintain current information about the utilities department and its services;

(7)

Promote the use of WaterSense labeled products, whenever possible, to encourage water efficient products in homes as required in the WaterSense Promotional Partner Agreement executed with the United States Environmental Protection Agency in March 2009.

( Ord. No. 2014-O-048, §1(Exh. A), 4-21-14 )