Explanation
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a grant agreement with the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (FSWCD) for the GreenSpot Backyard Conservation Program for the Fiscal Year 2014.
In 2011, a pilot rain barrel program was expanded through a partnership established by Mayor Michael B. Coleman with Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, local watershed groups, and EarthMinded (a subsidiary of Greif, Inc.). The goal of the program is to improve environmental stewardship and water conservation of the City of Columbus residents through outreach, workshops and educational material.
One of the benefits for residents is the distribution of rain barrels. In order to obtain a rain barrel at a discounted cost, residents were required to attend one (1) of 21 in-person rain barrel workshops. In addition, an online option was designed by the FSWCD to allow participants to view a rain barrel installation video, observe information discussing stormwater and water conservation and take a quiz. Participants were provided with a fact sheet, access to various websites and other backyard conservation tips. The participants were given one reduced-cost rain barrel per household. In 2012, Franklin Soil and Water and partners were successful in dispensing 964 rain barrels.
The 2012 program was a success and the message of water conservation and storm water management was well received by the community. The Department of Public Utilities would like to continue to support the program in 2014.
In 2014, the program will continue to focus on providing rain barrels, conservation and storm water education, outreach and marketing, working with watershed groups such as Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) and Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries (FACT), and the promotion of the City of Columbus GreenSpot and Get Green Columbus Initiatives. Furthermore, 50 rain barrels will be distribut...
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