Local Water Agencies' Innovative Conservation Campaigns Showcased at State Water Board Meeting

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 1, 2015) - Local water districts throughout California are pushing the envelope into new creative territory to encourage customers to conserve water during the state's ongoing drought. Today, the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) highlighted some examples of innovative local conservation campaigns during a presentation before the State Water Resources Control Board.

From public service announcements featuring San Francisco Giants Pitcher Sergio Romo to home-grown videos showcasing gnomes or local water district staff, water suppliers all over the state are creating engaging messages to help their customers save water to meet state-mandated conservation targets. ACWA presented a video compilation of the conservation ads -- some of which have been disseminated in several languages -- during the State Water Board meeting and also highlighted a new interactive Drought Response Gallery that showcases local outreach programs on a Pinterest-style bulletin board.

"Local water agencies have stepped up in a huge way this year with unprecedented media campaigns, community partnerships, expanded rebates and an array of new outreach strategies," said ACWA Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs and Operations Jennifer Persike, who made the presentation before the State Water Board. "These efforts clearly are making a difference. The state as a whole is exceeding the governor's call for a 25% across-the-board reduction in urban water use. We are pleased to showcase the new and creative ways local water agencies continue to help Californians save water every day."

Persike noted that local programs tend to reflect their local communities, with activities ranging from paid advertising to mobile apps to town hall meetings and school assemblies. "The creativity and out-of-the-box thinking is really on display this summer," Persike said.

ACWA's Drought Response Gallery features scores of #DroughtBusters profiles or "cards" that describe agencies' conservation and outreach efforts. Visitors can sort the cards by program or region or click the "more" button on each individual card to see a checklist of programs and actions implemented by the featured agency.

View the Drought Response Gallery at http://droughtresponse.acwa.com or use the shortcuts below to see the creative conservation actions and programs.

See participating agencies that:

• Limit watering to 2 days per week: http://bit.ly/1JxVfaB
• Offer mobile apps for reporting water waste: http://bit.ly/1KAO2Rv
• Offer turf rebates: http://bit.ly/1JPTmGc
• Offer recycled water incentives: http://bit.ly/1fwHOcK
• Use Save Our Water materials: http://bit.ly/1V5iqeb

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 430 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com. ACWA also is reaching Californians with conservation information through Save Our Water, the state's official water conservation education program. ACWA administers the Save Our Water program in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources. See www.saveourwater.com for information.