§ 5.4. Public education and information.

The primary elements and activities of the city's public education program include the following:

• Promote the city's water conservation efforts through continuous activities and programming.

• Partner with EPA WaterSense in order to raise awareness about the importance of water efficiency, ensure water efficient product performance, and help consumers differentiate among products and programs that use less water and that support state and local water efficiency efforts.

• Maintain and update the city's water utility department web site to provide detailed information regarding water conservation initiatives, and related events that promote public education about water conservation.

• Promote video instruction, advertising and news stories intended to assist Irving residents with water conservation efforts.

• Distribute promotional material and items that reinforce water conservation concepts and provide tools to measure water conservation efforts.

• Continue making presentations to schools and other interested community groups promoting water conservation and water quality issues. The goal is to make fifteen (15) or more presentations during a typical year (this is an increase over the goal for the past several years). Such events will include Town Hall Meetings, career days and the annual Community Fest.

• Develop utility bill inserts regarding water conservation issues and periodically mail to all customers.

• Recognize and promote Water Week, which occurs annually during the first full week in May. This education program will include various events and media coverage to encourage public awareness about water conservation. Events may include periodic festivals and seminars to heighten public awareness and participation in conservation efforts.

• Continue its involvement in regional groups that develop standards and promote water conservation. Involvement will include sharing promotional ideas and resources with other conservation representatives.

• Provide a home water audit inspection program to review the potential for indoor and outdoor leaks and to provide tips for saving water at Irving residences.

• Make the Texas Smartscape CD and other water conservation materials available at the water utilities department and at city hall.

• Promote the City of Irving Parks and Recreation Department publication, "A Guide to Using Native Texas Plants." Include links to the publication on the water utilities web site and find various opportunities to share this information about native, drought tolerant plants.

• Oversee enforcement related to the city's irrigation ordinance to include verbal advisories of improper watering and issuing notices of violation (NOV) in order to achieve compliance.

(Ord. No. 2011-9302, § 1, 12-8-11)