Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/680358
The District provided the water use restrictions to all employees working in the field and "Drought Talking Points" were provided to all staff to help provide a consistent message to our customers. Aggressive public communication and outreach ~ Public awareness of the drought and state water supply challenges has increased as a direct result of continued messaging. Print, radio and television campaigns ran through the State's "Save Our Water" program and the San Diego County Water Authority's "When in Drought" campaign. In addition to these actions, Padre Dam developed and implemented a drought communication and outreach plan to further increase awareness and response. The primary focus of the outreach was on the mandatory assigned two day per week watering days. Padre Dam communicated to customers on the mandatory water restrictions through bill inserts, bill envelopes, bill messaging, social media, our website, and in our lobby. Drought Response Plan ~ To achieve the 20 percent water conservation target mandated by the State, Padre Dam's Board approved the following two-pronged approach: Increased Restrictions and Enforcement ~ Restrictions ~ The State's mandatory water use reductions are aimed at outdoor, ornamental landscape irrigation as this is discretionary water use. On May 14, 2015, the San Diego County Water Authority Board took action requiring all retail agencies to limit watering days to no more than two days per week. Padre Dam included this messaging on all communications immediately and began complying with this directive on June 1. Enforcement ~ The District received approximately 100 water waste reports in Fiscal Year 2015. The majority of customers were responsive in making corrections when contacted about water waste. The District notified approximately 600 customers that they may have a leak or continuous flow on their property. These letters were sent to comply with State regulations. Many customers appreciated the heads up. Communications staff responded to reports of water restriction violations, worked with high water users on conservation efforts, performed site water audits, offered water efficiency classes, and other conservation and leak identification. In addition to the efforts in Communications, Customer Service staff responded to a significant increase in calls from customers with questions about water use restrictions, leaks and general drought concerns. All staff were on alert for water use restrictions as they conducted normal business throughout the District. Our customers exceeded Padre Dam's 20 percent target by conserving over 28 percent in June 2015. The average Californian uses 196 gallons of water per day. Here are some easy ways to reduce water use. Find the right combination for you to reduce by 20% or 39 gallons a day. WHAT DOES A 20% REDUCTION in water use look like? INSTALL AERATORS ON BATHROOM FAUCETS TURN OFF WATER WHEN BRUSHING TEETH OR SHAVING FIX LEAKY TOILETS FILL THE BATHTUB HALFWAY OR LESS INSTALL A HIGH-EFFICIENCY TOILET (1.28 GALLON/FLUSH) RUN DISHWASHER WHEN FULL INSTEAD OF HALF FULL TAKE FIVE MINUTE SHOWERS INSTEAD OF 10 MINUTE SHOWERS WASH ONLY FULL LOADS OF CLOTHES AVERAGE DAILY USE INSTALL A WATER-EFFICIENT SHOWER HEAD 1.2 GALLONS per person/day 10 GALLONS per person/day 30-50 GALLONS per day/toilet 12 GALLONS per person 19 GALLONS per person/day 5-15 GALLONS per load 12.5 GALLONS with a water efficient showerhead 15-45 GALLONS per load 1.2 GALLONS per minute 10 GALLONS per average 10-minute shower OR saves saves saves saves saves saves saves saves saves 196 GALLONS PER DAY For more tips on reducing water use, visit saveourwater.com! Agency logo goes here ~ 11 2015 Annual Report