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Press release for September 10, 2007

Media Contacts: Emlea Chanslor (512) 473-3342 or Krista Umscheid (512) 473-3365 (LCRA) Mark Wieland, (512) 974-3534 (City of Austin Water Utility)

LCRA and City of Austin Join to Raise “Water IQ”
Voice of the Colorado River urges Central Texans to reduce water waste

(AUSTIN, Texas) — LCRA and the City of Austin today (September 10) announced the second year of a water awareness campaign focused on delivering tips to reduce water waste in Central Texas landscapes.

The campaign, “Water IQ: Know your water,” is designed to make people aware of the source of their water, offer simple tips to help save water and change the way Central Texans use water in their homes and businesses. The campaign reflects the role of the City of Austin and LCRA as water utility providers and LCRA’s responsibility as manager of the lower Colorado River/Highland Lakes system.

“We are proud to partner with the City of Austin again this year and urge all Central Texans to get involved in the campaign,” said LCRA Board Chair Ray Wilkerson.

“Expanding knowledge among Austinites and all residents of Central Texas about the intelligent use of water is essential if we are to be responsible stewards of this valuable resource,” said Austin City Council Member Lee Leffingwell.

Central Texans will hear water-saving tips from the voice of the Colorado River. The campaign will use radio and newspaper ads, outdoor billboards, gas pump advertising, a Web site, media relations and face-to-face outreach to inform people how to curb water waste. In the coming months, the Water IQ outreach tour will host free community events at home improvement stores and other public venues in the region to inform people how they can save water in their landscape.

The campaign focuses on four key tips for reducing water waste in your landscape:

  • Water once or twice a week for a healthy lawn
  • Repair broken or misdirected sprinkler heads
  • Water in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation
  • Water efficiently to keep water from running into the street or sidewalk

“Some in Central Texas may ask why we need to save water when we’ve have so much rain this year. The fact is, it’s never OK to waste water,” LCRA General Manager Joe Beal said. “The most efficient and least expensive way to extend our water supply for future generations is to change the way we use water today.”

“There are many reasons to save water,” said Mayor Will Wynn. “One is the amount of electricity used to treat water. The more water we use, the more electricity it takes and the more greenhouse gases are emitted. So conserving water is also an important part of fighting climate change.

LCRA and the City of Austin launched the Water IQ campaign in July 2006. The first year of the campaign focused on making people aware of their water source and the importance of water supply for the future of our region.