AWWA SOURCES55639

This paper documents the attempts, the failures, and the successes of the City of Phoenix in providing multifamily customers with good water use information, on-site audits, and recommendations for significant water savings. It explores the problems encountered when apartment houses have out of state ownership; when the local manager's scope of authority and vision is limited to keeping the units rented and the grounds green; when landscape maintenance contractor's performance criteria does not include responsibility for water use; and, when tenants who don't pay directly for their own water use and feel powerless to do anything about waste or feel victimized by an out-of-control system. It also looks at methods Phoenix has tried to involve all parties in the auditing process, recommendations staff have made to owners and managers on performance contracting -- the inclusion of water use and costs as part of the contract with landscapers. Also, efforts employed to tie individual water use to individual tenant costs are discussed. It looks at success stories where implementation of city recommendations resulted in water savings of up to 75%, where managers are held accountable for implementing conservation efforts, where landscape maintenance contracts stipulate sharing savings in water cost, and financial penalties for overwatering. Includes tables, figures.