Water Conservation Awareness and Education Plan

Transcription

1 Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan A prpsal t: Pleasant Grve City Presented n: April 14, 2015 Water is the life-bld f Utah's envirnment water hlds everything tgether--making the land inhabitable by peple and wildlife. cnservewater.utah.gv Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan: Page 1 f 10

2 Table f Cntents 1 Current Situatin Slutin Objectives Apprach Benefits Implementatin Plan Phase I Years Light Vlume Cnsumers Large Vlume Cnsumers The Water Wise Pledge Phase II Years Light Vlume Cnsumers Large Vlume Cnsumers Phase III The Secnd Decade Budget Cnclusin Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan: Page 2 f 10

3 1 Current Situatin Water is ur mst precius natural resurce in the state f Utah and in ur wnderful City. The prper use f this resurce makes Pleasant Grve City a beautiful and inviting place t live, wrk, and play. The veruse f this resurce will cause us and ur psterity serius prblems in the near and far future. We must prtect and cnserve water whenever and wherever pssible. Our current cnsumptin f water within the City is well abve what we need and what we can affrd. Accrding t Pleasant Grve Public Wrks, the implementatin f unmetered secndary irrigatin increased ur cnsumptin f secndary water by almst fur times. (see PG Public Wrks Department reprt n Water Usage) and is cntinually increasing. If left unchecked, this culd create majr shrtage f water resurces fr future generatins. We can d better, we must d better, we will d better. With this Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan, we can help ur current and future generatins be aware f the need t cnserve, hw t cnserve, and hw t help thers cnserve ur water resurces. Withut sme significant changes in ur water usage in the next several years, we will see ur resurce dwindle and ur belved City becme less inviting and self-sustaining. 2 Slutin Our use f ur water resurces makes ur city a beautiful, and inviting place t live, wrk, and play. The Pleasant Grve Beautificatin and Shade Tree Cmmissin (hereafter referred t as the Cmmissin) believes that we can change ur water future by educating the Pleasant Grve residents n the need t cnserve and hw t cnserve. We believe that with educatin, regulatin, and mnitring, we can nt nly lessen the amunt f water we currently use, but benefit the residents f Pleasant Grve City with lwer water csts, healthier yards and green space, and a unified cmmunity apprach t water cnservatin The Cmmissin recmmends we fcus n three key elements t affect psitive change. These three elements include educatin, regulatin, and mnitring. The Cmmissin recmmends these elements t be implemented with light vlume cnsumers (individual residents) and large vlume cnsumers (public services, city grunds and parks, schls, churches and businesses). The Cmmissin believes effrts with these tw cnsumer types will prve effective in reducing the amunt f water we cnsume nw and fr future generatins. The Cmmissin believes this apprach ver 5-20 years will bring psitive change in the way ur cmmunity views, uses, and cnserves ur water resurces. The Cmmissin is partnering with Public Wrks t help in the water cnservatin effrt. Public Wrks will maintain and implement the Water Cnservatin Plan. This plan is extensive and includes actinable items fr water cnservatin and water use grwth, fcusing n the regulatin and mnitring f water usage. The Cmmissin will use the Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan (hereafter referred t as the Educatin Plan) and fcus n educatin and awareness fr Pleasant Grve citizens and businesses. Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan: Page 3 f 10

4 2.1 Objectives The bjective f the Educatin Plan is: Help all residents, churches, schls, and businesses cnserve water by infrming and educating n the what, why, and hw f water cnservatin in PG City. T measure the success f this prgram, there must be clearly defined gals which can be measured. Therefre the fllwing gals are prpsed: Reduce the cnsumptin f all water by light vlume (residents, hmewners) and large vlume cnsumers (public services, city grunds and parks, schls, churches and businesses), by 30% within 10 years. Prvide an nging educatinal and awareness prgram fr all cnsumers within 3 years, beginning with light vlume cnsumers and wrking int large vlume cnsumers. Develp a self-perpetuating prgram f awareness, educatin, and mnitring within 10 years and review/adjust this plan every 5 years. Create a sense f urgency, respnsibility, and cmmunity cllabratin t prtect ur water resurces and help ne anther be accuntable within 10 years. 2.2 Apprach It has been shwn that educatin and awareness is key t helping a cmmunity embrace the cncepts and actins related t water cnservatin. This is a lng term prcess that will take cllabratin between the Cmmissin, PG citizens and business wners. The Cmmissin will lead ut in prmting water cnservatin and awareness. T accmplish the stated gals, custmized educatin will be prvided fr large vlume and light vlume cnsumers. The educatin f light vlume cnsumers will differ frm that f large vlume cnsumers in that it is a brader grup and will require lnger saturatin time t get the message ingrained int the cmmunity. The Cmmissin believes helping the light vlume cnsumers reduce their cnsumptin is the first pririty as it will make the deepest impact n ur resurces. Educating the large vlume cnsumers will be enhanced by having ur citizens aware and invlved in the effrts. The details are utlined in the Implementatin Plan belw. 2.3 Benefits We are cnfident awareness and educatin will help carry n effrts f citizens t be water wise. We are cnfident that water cnservatin measures taken nw will benefit and psitively impact many generatins t cme. Failure t implement this plan will result in lack f essential water in the near and far future. The benefits will include, but are nt limited t: Citizens will have mre available water resurces fr a lnger perid f time. An educated and respnsible cre f residents and businesses wh will help transfer knwledge and practical applicatin t future generatins. The City will be setting a lcal precedent t influence nt nly ur lcal cmmunity but ther adjacent cmmunities and pssibly the entire state f Utah. The benefit f fllwing this plan is the prtected resurce f water fr ur future generatins. Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan: Page 4 f 10

5 3 Implementatin Plan The implementatin plan cnsists f several phases with a step-by-step apprach designed t help the City achieve the bjectives. Research shws many cmmunities taking up t twenty years t really see a shift in the way their citizens think abut cnserving water; hwever, prpnents believe this shift will ccur mre quickly in Pleasant Grve due t the current state-wide cnservatin campaigns and initiatives. The phases are assciated with years f the plan and create a stratagem t fllw/adapt as needed. Implementatin Plan Phases Phase Fcused Effrts On: Actins: Phase I (Years 1-5) Light Vlume Custmers Identify and develp distributin channels such as dr hangers, flyers, website, scial media, parade, schl assemblies, water audits, etc. Build schedule fr each distributin channel. Launch the Water Wise Pledge Cmplete 50% f educating light vlume cnsumers Phase I (Years 4-5) Large Vlume Custmers Wrk with Public Wrks t implement metering Create an Infrmatin Packet t be distributed t all large vlume cnsumers (include in Welcme packet frm City) Phase II (Years 6-10) Phase II (Years 6-10) Phase III (Years Light Vlume Custmers Large Vlume Custmers Light Vlume Cnsumers AND Large Vlume Cnsumers Wrk with Public Wrks t implement metering with an Infrmatin Packet Increase educatin saturatin thrugh ur cmmunities Cmplete 100% f educating light vlume cnsumers Fcus n the Water Wise Pledge fr large vlume cnsumers Determine a rewards system fr large vlume cnsumers that reduce their cnsumptin by 30% Cntinue educatin plan thrugh identified channels and n schedule Adjust plan fr new technlgy and envirnmental changes Adjust infrmatin available Cnsider a reward system fr thse cnsumers leading the way Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan: Page 5 f 10

6 3.1 Phase I Years 1-5 The first five years f the Educatin Plan are the mst crucial. T ensure lngevity f the Plan, there must be clearly defined rles and strategies. It will define what effrts are made n an annual basis t prmte the Plan t all cnsumers in the City Light Vlume Cnsumers Identify and develp distributin channels such as dr hangers, website, scial media, parade, schl assemblies, water audits, etc. Website: The beautiful.plgrve.rg website will hld the bulk f the educatinal materials. Other channels f distributin will share limited pieces f infrmatin and encurage citizens t visit and use the website as a resurce Scial Media: Scial media is a great channel t cmmunicate with and engage the yunger ppulatins. Reminders, annuncements, and infrmatinal tips will be shared thrugh scial media channels and encurage further educatin with resurces n the website. T reduce duplicatin, the City scial media channels will be used until mmentum demands dedicated channels. Flyer/Dr hangers: These materials will be develped frm infrmatin assets n the website and can be changed as needed thrugh the years. Sme examples are ways t cnserve water indrs, suggestins n hw t reduce water cnsumptin in the yard, helpful tips n where t get mre infrmatin, etc. This infrmatin will be used as handuts at all Cmmissin functins, the Strawberry Days celebratins (parade and garden tur), etc. Magnets: A magnet will be made available t remind peple f key infrmatin abut cnserving water. This infrmatin will need t be mre static (nt changing) in nature and will lead peple back t the website. Distributin f the magnets can be accmplished thrugh the utility bill mailing in the spring r thrugh dr hanger packets. Parade entry: With a large number f ur PG citizens at the parade (and thers frm surrunding cmmunities), it is a great pprtunity fr a mass publicity push. A simple vehicle entry with a Banner and handuts culd help spread the wrd abut the water cnservatin mvement and help educate the citizens and pint them t the website fr mre infrmatin Free Water Checks: Sprinkler water checks can be perfrmed fr individual residents by a Cmmissin member r a vlunteer (Eagle scut prjects). This will help tremendusly with the educatin fr water cnservatin and help the residents understand their rle in helping in this effrt. Training will be prvided fr vlunteers/scuts and will be based slely n the initiative. Assemblies With Activity Bk (4 th grade): The Cmmissin will crdinate with elementary schls within the City limits fr assemblies in the Fall and the Spring t help educate the 4 th grade students n water cnservatin as part f their studies f Utah. The Fall assemblies will fcus n indr water cnservatin and the Spring assemblies will fcus n utdr water cnservatin. Clring Bks: These clring bks will be available t ur yunger citizens (under 4 th grade) as a way t help educate them abut water cnservatin and living in a desert state. The clring bks can be handed ut at different City and Cmmissin events such as the Arbr Day Celebratin, Garden Tur, etc. All f these channels will fcus n educatin and prmting actins t be taken t cnserve water including having a free water check and taking the Water Wise Pledge. Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan: Page 6 f 10

7 3.1.2 Large Vlume Cnsumers In Phase I, the main fcus will be fr the Cmmissin t wrk with the PG City Public Wrks Department t implement metering n each large vlume cnsumer water system. This will enable true measurements f usage and mnitring. Included with this metering will be a general infrmatin packet abut the cnservatin effrts in PG and what is expected frm large vlume cnsumers. Metering: It is understd that Public Wrks is planning n metering secndary water usage fr large vlume cnsumers during the first phase f this Plan. When these meters are installed, an infrmatin packet will be issued t the cnsumer and will include the infrmatin described belw. With this infrmatin and the metering, the large vlume cnsumers shuld find the financial benefits alng with the cmmunity effrts encuraging their invlvement and participatin in the Plan. Infrmatin Packet: The infrmatin packet fr large vlume cnsumers will be prvided by the Cmmissin and Public Wrks and will cnsist f the fllwing infrmatin: Letter frm the City r the Cmmissin Infrmatin n ur current water situatin and ur gals Suggestins n hw t save water indrs and utdrs fr a large vlume cnsumer Hw t take the Water Wise Pledge Guidelines n watering techniques and suggestins fr utdr cnservatin Hw t cntact the Cmmissin fr further infrmatin During the last year f Phase I, Public Wrks will be metering all large vlume cnsumers t help reduce water cnsumptin. This step may need t be adjusted based n available funding, technlgy, and resurces The Water Wise Pledge T increase invlvement and cnsumer engagement with these effrts, the Water Wise Pledge will be launched. This pledge will require a cnsumer t take certain steps in their cnservatin effrts. T encurage participatin, a drawing culd be held mnthly fr a simple prize fr all thse wh pledge during that mnth. T cmplete the Water Wise Pledge a cnsumer must Cmplete a Free Water Check frm the Cmmissin and implement suggested adjustments t cnserve water Discuss as a family the water saving infrmatin n the beautiful.plgrve.rg website regarding hw yur family can cnserve water indrs and utdrs Implement at least three water reductin techniques indrs immediately Once a cnsumer has cmpleted the Water Wise Pledge, the Cmmissin will send them a I Am Water Wise windw display fr them t help prmte the Plan. They will als be entered int a drawing (t be held every 2 mnths) fr a simple prize. 3.2 Phase II Years 6-10 The secnd five years f the Educatin Plan are very imprtant t stabilize the educatin and regulatins put frth in phase I. In Phase II, the actins are as fllws. Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan: Page 7 f 10

8 3.2.1 Light Vlume Cnsumers After reaching 50% PG residents with the educatin campaign effrts in Phase I, wrk with Public Wrks t implement metering. Metering effrts fr large water cnsumers will ccur in the latter part f Phase I. Based n success and timing f thse meters, the details f metering light vlume cnsumers will be implemented during Phase II. Public wrks will determine the implementatin schedule and details while the Cmmissin will prvide an infrmatin packet t be distributed as metering is installed. The packet will include many f the educatin and cmmunicatin pieces develped in Phase I. Increase educatin saturatin thrugh ur cmmunities: With 50% educatin reached during Phase I, it will be imprtant t cntinue the educatin effrts int Phase II. All the same channels will be used and will be adjusted as needed t reach all members f ur cmmunities by the end f Phase II Large Vlume Cnsumers Fcus n the Water Wise Pledge fr large vlume cnsumers: Once large vlume cnsumers are metered and the light vlume cnsumers are taking the Water Wise Pledge regularly, it will be a natural prcess t then fcus n helping the large vlume cnsumers participate mre fully by taking the Water Wise Pledge themselves. This will be a big step as it will shw that schls, churches, and businesses are invlved in ur cmmunity and willing t cnserve ur resurces. Determine a rewards system fr large vlume cnsumers that reduce their cnsumptin by 30%: Because the large vlume cnsumers will be metered, measuring the reductin begin immediately. Shwing ur appreciatin fr a significant effrt t reduce cnsumptin will be very imprtant t maintain mmentum in ur cnservatin effrts. A special windw badge t prmte a 30% decrease in cnsumptin culd be beneficial. Als, sme reward shuld be cnsidered t add value t this effrt. 3.3 Phase III The Secnd Decade The Cmmissin believes that the first tw Phases will be very successful in water cnservatin educatin and invlvement f the residents. The secnd decade f this plan will be used t cntinue ur water cnservatin effrts. This phase will be adjusted accrding t the needs f ur cmmunities at that time. The gals will be: Cntinue implementatin f educatin plan thrugh identified channels Adjust plan fr new technlgy and envirnmental changes Make adjustments as new infrmatin becmes available Cnsider reward system fr cnsumers leading the way Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan: Page 8 f 10

9 4 Budget The cst f ding nthing is far greater than any cst f implementing this Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan. The mnetary expenses t implement this Plan are minuscule cmpared t the lng term benefits frm teaching a generatin t cnserve ur natural resurces. In the beginning f this prgram, there will be a budgetary need fr this Plan frm the City. This budget is utlined in the budget schedule belw. Hwever, after metering is implemented fr large vlume cnsumers, sme f the revenue frm veruse fees culd be used t cntinue funding this Plan. Metering is nt included as a cst f this awareness and educatin plan. It will be a cst directly assciated with the Public Wrks department as they mve frward with their metering plans. It is nly suggested here as a way t measure and reduce water cnsumptin. The water ver use fees resulting frm metering culd partially be used t fund the nging educatin and awareness effrts f this plan, thus reducing the need fr cnstant budget items fr the Cmmissin. The cst f ding nthing is far greater than any cst f implementing this Water Cnservatin Plan. Educatin Channel Amunt Each Yearly Cst Maintenance f website 1 $ $ Flyers 2000 $0.25 $ Dr Hanger bags 2000 $0.05 $ Magnets 2000 $0.30 $ Banner fr parades, events, etc. (2) 2 $60.00 $ Activity Bk fr 4th graders 1000 $0.82 $ Clring Bks 1000 $0.61 $ Infrmatin packets 200 $0.50 $ I Am Water Wise windw sticker 500 $4.31 $2, Pledge drawing prizes 6 $50.00 $ Business Windws badge recgnitin 200 $4.54 $ Ttals $6, Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan: Page 9 f 10

10 Educatin Channel Phase I Years Phase II Years Website X X X X X X X X X X Scial Media X X X X X X X X Flyers/dr hangers X X X X X X X X X X Magnets X X X X X X Parade entry X X X X X X X X X X Assembly presentatins X X X X X X X X X Free water checks X X X X X Clring bks and inf ffered at events X X X X X X X X X X Inf packets t large water cnsumers X X X X X The Water Pledge (windw sticker/drawing) X X X X X X X X X X Large cnsumer windw badge prgram X X X X X The Public Wrks department has funding fr $1000 per year t put tward the Plan csts. Dnatins and fund raising will be used t fund $1313 f the yearly csts. With that funding available and with each channel f educatin being implemented n different years, the budget requested frm PG City t fund this Plan is $4000 per year fr up t 20 years. This budget request des nt include any current Cmmissin budget. This is an additinal nging budget request. 5 Cnclusin Nw is the time fr Pleasant Grve t cnserve water. Pleasant Grve residents, businesses, schls, and churches must be educated regarding the needs, prblems, benefits, and respnsibilities surrunding water cnservatin. If we act nw, we can take advantage f the state wide cnservatin educatin effrts being spnsred by State fficials. Thrugh this 20+ year plan, Pleasant Grve City can lead the state in water cnservatin, and be an example t ther cities and cmmunities. Tgether we can raise the next generatin f infrmed citizens and extend this mst precius water resurce fr generatins t cme. Water Cnservatin Awareness and Educatin Plan: Page 10 f 10