AWWA ACE62965

In San Antonio, Texas the whole water conservation effort has been a great success and is based on an overall partnership, the "Conservation Team." San Antonio and its citizens are motivated to reduce per capita water use because as a result of Federal Court activities to protect endangered species, and Texas legislative action to protect downstream and other interests that rely on the Edwards Aquifer, Aquifer users must reduce their dependence on this source of water. San Antonio has an aggressive Water Resource Development Program that includes Recycled Water, Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), surface water sources, and other aquifer sources, but the cost of those sources each approach $1,000/acre foot. At $200-$500/acre foot, conservation has been a fast, inexpensive way to increase available water supply. The idea is that every citizen buys into the concept that water waste is undesirable and that everyone must assume a share of the responsibility for reducing water waste. Several mechanisms that have contributed to the success of the overall partnership between the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) and its citizens for water conservation include the "Community Conservation Committee," "Adequate Conservation Funding," and "Effective Communications." Some of the partnerships that contribute to the "Conservation Team" include: volunteer organizations; car wash certifications and other industries; "Season to Save", a program to trade out a high-flow old toilet for a low-flow toilet that provides funding of $25 per trade-out to Girl Scout Troops, churches, and neighborhood organizations; New Home Builders and the Water conservation Ordinance; and, Green Industry. Basic concepts of the San Antonio partnership are given, and how SAWS has used the news media for its advantage is described. Includes figures.