Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities

TO:	David Corliss, Interim City Manager Debbie Van Saun, ACM, Community Development Services
FROM:	Michael Tubbs, Management Analyst, Utilities
CC:	Chris Stewart, Interim Director, Utilities Dave Wagner, Assistant Director, Utilities
Date:	August 28, 2006
RE:	Waterwise Program

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for the September 5, 2006, 2006 meeting.

Department of Utilities request to continue sponsoring the Waterwise Program with Lawrence Public School

Project History:

In April of 2005, we began implementing four water conservation measures which represent the foundation of the department’s public awareness and education efforts.

We are on track to achieving full implementation of all four measures this fall as indicated in the schedule below. These four measures: Waterwise, classes/workshops, Xeriscape demonstration garden and a trade show quality marketing display system.

Project Status:

I. Accomplishments - What is the City doing now to promote water conservation?

In the fall of 2005 we began implementation of the Waterwise Program in conjunction with Lawrence Public Schools with the purpose of increasing public awareness regarding conservation. This program targets fourth graders. The City sponsors the program by purchasing Waterwise Activity Kits that contain high efficiency devices such as shower heads and kitchen Aerators. The teacher and children receive educational material designed to build the students knowledge, provide high efficiency devices to their families, and serves as one element of the department’s community awareness program.

Waterwise Program

Completed initial implementation of Waterwise program with four schools participating in the pilot program: Deerfield, Kennedy, Pinckney and Schwegler. “Teachers reported the student participation and enthusiasm was excellent . . . 100% of participating teachers indicated that they would like to participate in the program again, and that they would recommend it to their colleagues.” 2005-2006 City of Lawrence Waterwise Program Summary p. 1.

Our intent is to expand this program district wide to all fourth graders in USD 497 for the 2006-2007 school year. We plan to sponsor this program district wide expanding from last year’s total of 249 students and teachers participating in the program to 673 students and teachers for the 2006-2007 school year. All elementary school will participate in the program this school year.

Program Participation Summary

School	Contact	Teachers	Students
Deerfield Elementary	Melissa Clover	1	25
Deerfield Elementary	Mrs. Eskilson	1	25
Deerfield Elementary	Mrs. Hadiji	1	27
Kennedy Elementary	Denise Curnes	1	23
Kennedy Elementary	Paula Meyers	1	23
Pinckney Elementary	Lori Kimme	1	25
Pinckney Elementary	Michelle Jacobsen	1	25
Schwegler Elementary	Deborah Norwood	1	68

Totals	8	241
Total Participants		249

Program Impact

Using the family habits collected from the customer survey information, the 249 participating households are expected to save the following total resources:

Total Projected Resource Savings per Household	Total Projected Resource Savings
54,955 gallons of water saved	13,683,873 gallons of water saved
231 therms of gas saved	57,449 therms of gas saved
1,709 kWh electricity saved	425,488 kWh electricity saved
54,955 gallons wastewater saved	13,683,873 gallons wastewater saved

Source 2005-2006 City of Lawrence Waterwise Program Summary p. 9 & Appendix A.

Upon completion of the program, participating families are asked to complete a Water Adventure Report (WAR) to assess their resource use, verify product installation and measure participation rates. A few samples are below while a complete summary of all responses is included in the appendices p 12-21 of the program summary.

II. Reflections and Learning:

Participant Feedback:

“Thank-you … It was great to have my child be exposed to new ways of conserving natural resources. What a great way to get the message out to a lot of people.” (M. McCauley, Parent, Deerfield Elementary)

“In my opinion, the things students liked best about the program . . . using the products and testing materials in their kitchens and bathrooms at home.” (M. Clover, Teacher, Deerfield Elementary)

Action Requested: Approve funding request in the amount of $20,190.00 to fund the Waterwise Program for all fourth graders in the Lawrence Public Schools for the 2006-2007 school year. Funding for this project will come from the department’s 2006 operating budget.