2006 Water Comprehensive Plan - City of Bellevue

Speakers BureauThis measure is defined by DOH as “seeking speaking opportunities and making speakersavailable to a wide cross-section of service, community, and other groups.” Bellevueprovides staff to groups requesting presentations on water conservation and pursuesopportunities to address audiences.Program PromotionThis measure is defined by DOH as “publicizing the need for water conservation throughtelevision and radio public service announcements, news articles, public water system billinserts, or other means.” In addition to program-specific outreach, Bellevue engages ingeneral program promotion intended to continue to build and reinforce a water conservationethic among customers.Bellevue distributes several locally-produced and regionally-produced water conservationbrochures. Distribution methods include direct mail, utility billing insertion, and displays atpublic access locations including the Bellevue Botanical Gardens, key City outreachfacilities, local libraries, City Hall, and the Utility’s offices. In 2002, Bellevue created a“new residents” brochure, which includes a reply card residents can use to request furtherinformation. The reply cards often request watering and other yard care related information.Bellevue employs media releases such as conservation articles and tips to the Seattle Times,the Seattle PI, the King County Journal, the Northwest Garden News, and the BellevueBotanical Garden Newsletter. Bellevue regularly includes water conservation news andwater savings tips in the City’s quarterly newspaper It’s Your City and on the Utilities’website.Bellevue promotes regional conservation websites including www.savingwater.org,Cascade’s website, and financially supports the Water Use It Wisely regional radio campaignsponsored by the Water Conservation Coalition of Puget Sound.Bellevue employs interpretive features, such as interactive displays, water related art, signs,and demonstration projects in key areas around the City to raise awareness about the need toconserve and protect water resources. Projects include the Cherry Creek Reservoir, theLakehills Demonstration gardens, the Bellevue Botanical Gardens, and Lakemont Park.Theme Shows & FairsThis measure is defined by DOH as “preparing a portable display on water conservation andselected written material.” Bellevue provides display materials and water conservation staffto local and regional theme shows and events. The displays, along with other educationmaterials, are regularly exhibited at a variety of Bellevue’s special events, mini city halls,community meetings, public meetings, classes, and the Bellevue Botanical Garden.5-7