By Jennifer Stanko

An outreach program based on raising awareness of water conservation could be on the horizon in Buda.

It’s all part of a presentation made by The Eppstein Group (TEG), which presented its “Buda Water Conservation Public Information Plan” to the Buda City Council on Oct. 13.

The presentation is part of the contractual agreement between TEG and the city of Buda, in which TEG must consult with city officials regarding the development and implementation of the city’s water conservation campaign.

Buda contracted with TEG in April to help raise awareness about water issues, along with supply and conservation efforts. 

Buda was seeking a company capable of compiling an outreach campaign that would inform the public of water shortages, along with keeping the public up-to-date with the progress of initiatives.

In addition, TEG’s tasks would include providing accurate and simplified information (what kind of information) to a diverse range of individuals and stakeholders.

Its plan of action is to use a variety of outlets to reach the residents and inform them of campaign progress.

Its efforts include creating customer surveys to find out current awareness of the water conservation efforts and activities, along with assisting with updating the city’s website and/or social media pages.

TEG would also include monthly inserts with water bills highlighting water conservation news and efforts, direct mailings to inform and educate about water programs and conservation tips, delivering door hangers and brochures with any additional news and a website for information.

Along with these proposed plans, TEG announced three slogans to kick start the campaign.

Those slogans include “Water. Just save it”, “Be a water miser”, and “Water you doing?”, which was the council’s favorite.

The ultimate goal is bring awareness to the chosen water conservation plan. For councilmember Wiley Hopkins, while there could be a financial impact, he believes citizens would “embrace” the additional means.

“Indeed, there could be some financial impact with any water conservation initiative. However, the Buda citizens have done a good job of conservation to date and I feel they will embrace the additional suggested means to further reduce their water consumption,” Hopkins said.

Buda’s current water conservation efforts include limiting watering to two times per week, before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m.

Buda Mayor Todd Ruge said the average “rooftop” in the city of Buda has reduced its daily average water consumption by 20 gallons a day over the past 3 years. He said it brings the average daily consumption below 140 gallons.

“Residents are responding well to limiting their water usage. We are one of the few communities that will always be in drought stage 1, for the long-term underlying goal of saving water,” Ruge said. “It is more of a lifestyle – to help conserve water permanently.”