SAVEH2O Water Conservation Campaign Kick-Off News Release
CITIZENS WATER RESOURCES LOGO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Contact: Terri Sue Rossi 815-3149

Citizens Launches Grassroots Water Conservation Campaign
"SAVEH2O designed to manage NW Valley Water Demand"

SUN CITY, Arizona (March 5, 1998) - Citizens Water Resources officially kicks-off its SAVEH2O community water conservation program this Friday at SUn City's annual Health and Beauty Fair. The program is geared to help reduce water demand in Citizens' northwest Valley divisions during the next few years, and into the next century.

The campaign, represented by a replica of the Arizona state license plate with "SAVEH2O" displayed, is using a multi-tiered education/advertising outreach approach. Through the program, Citizens is encouraging their 50,000 water customers in Sun City, Sun City West and Agua Fria and the general public to use common sense tips to conserve water. Citizens is also implementing an active internal conservation program for employees.

"Managing our water supply wisely has always been, and still is, a big concern," said Terri Sue Rossi, water resources supervisor for Citizens and coordinator of the SAVEH2O campaign. "Managing our water resources is going to take a concerted effort between water providers and water users - and we think that SAVEH2O is a step in the right direction."

Citizens is introducing SAVEH2O to the general public through a number of venues. Initial advertisements, providing general background on SAVEH2O for the public, are being run in northwest Valley publications.

A hotline and internet Web site have been established to provide the public with water saving tips and information about water conservation efforts in the community. Citizens is encouraging those who call the hotline or visit the Web site to offer their own water-saving tips, so they can be passed on to the community.

In addition, Citizens is coordinating a speakers bureau to provide presentations on water conservation to local clubs and civic organizations.

Citizens is employing an aggressive direct outreach program to communicate with its customers. Water conservation tips periodically will be included in bill mailings. SAVEH2O brochures, providing general conservation tips and information on the campaign, will also be included in customer mailings at various times during the year.

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Brochures, produced by the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, on efficient uses of xeriscape and irrigation management are available to residential water customers, new homebuyers and homeowners associations.

In addition, Citizens is developing a series of recorded water conservation messages which will serve as the initial telephone greeting when customers call the company or if they are put on hold.

Employees at Citizens also will be encouraged to examine their current water use habits and implement conservation techniques when possible. Guest speakers will be invited throughout the year to address employees on conservation issues. SAVEH2O material, including t-shirts and mock license plates prominently displaying the campaign logo, will be distributed among employees.

"SAVEH2O is a community-based water conservation program," said Rossi. "Because our company - and our employees - are part of this community, we feel it is important to lead by example."

Citizens Water Resources is part of Citizens Utilities Company, a diversified provider of multiple utility services that provides water and wastewater services to more than 500,000 customers nationwide.

The SAVEH2O hotline can be reached by calling 815-3101.

The Web site can be accessed at: www.czn.net/Documents/SAVEH2O.

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