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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 6964 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6964 �^FTER,0 August 21, 1984 DoE foRT�p To the Mayor and Members of the City Council ut /_ TfxAy� Subject: WATER CONSERVATION STRATDGIES ,I T3 The importance of water and its availability in Texas, and particularly Fort Worth, is becoming painfully apparent during this unusually hot, dry summer. Water conservation naturally moves to the forefront of pub- lic attention during drought periods such as this, calling for short- term changes in water use practices to preserve (or conserve) dwindling water availability due to inadequate water supplies or treatment facili- ties. Recognizing the need to promote conservation practices, the Water Department was authorized to hire an individual responsible for coordi- nating conservation strategies. With this added position of Public Information Specialist, the Fort Worth Water Department has begun to meet this short-term need through a coordinated public education program which includes newspaper and maga- zine articles, commercial and cable television program appearances, pre- sentations to cannuzity organizations and information to Water Depart- ment employees and customers through monthly newsletters and water bill inserts. However, the need to conserve water is not eliminated by increased rain- fall. Wise water use in Fort Worth is viewed as one method of achieving the department's long-term goals of extending the life of the City's raw water supplies while delaying the need to increase water and wastewater treatment plant capacities. Rapid growth will make expansion in all of these areas an eventual necessity. However, through public water con- servation and other programs which attempt to achieve a reduction in water consumption trends over the long-term, these tremendously expen- sive expansions may be postponed. Because water conservation involves changing water-use habits, it is viewed as a long-range department project. It is possible to achieve short-term changes in water use patterns during drought periods, but for water conservation to be most effective, and to have a meaningful impact on capital expenditures, long-term results are necessary. A current project that addresses this long-range need to conserve water is a demonstration garden at the Rolling Hills Water Treatment Plant. A steering carmittee composed of ccmT ulity group members with an interest in low water-use landscaping has been formed to coordinate garden plan- ning, design, construction, operation, and promotion. The garden will feature low water use plant materials and landscape designs which can be easily incorporated into residential and business landscape designs. The program is designed to be expanded to include garden tours, workshop and seminar series for landscape professionals, as well as residential landscape enthusiasts. This program will be particularly important in the department's efforts to control peak demand periods resulting from increased seasonal water demand. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6964 - p. 2 M'F7f NF0 August 21, 1984 Hof fORT�p To the Mayor and Members of the City Council ui Y TEXA`0 Subject: WATER CONSERVATION STRATEGIES /!79 Fbrt Worth's water conservation program will continue to develop and ex- pand as citizen's and department needs are recognized. This program will offer water conservation information that will allow citizens to help the City achieve its long- and short-term water supply goals while also receiving the personal benefits of saving time and money through wise water use practices. Summaries of several active conservation projects being coordinated by the Water Department are attached. If the Council desires additional information on the short-term and long-term conservation strategies of the Water Department, staff will provide it. . Herchert Cager RLH:kcnn Attachment ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS �—