OCR Text |
Show priority that water conservation has to the agency's purpose. These variables explain why SLCDPU develops programs that are relatively more progressive than those of JWVCD. The residents that the SLCDPU sells to are an external influence on the water conservation policy that the agency can mandate. As stated previously, SLCDPU sells on the retail level to these residents. The idea of water conservation is encouraged by SLCDPU to its customers by making water a commodity too expensive to waste. SLCDPU also implements information dissemination about water saving practices as a component to its water conservation policy. The public has, by in large, reacted positively to the economic and educational incentives provided by SLCDPU. These variables explain the economic components of SLCDPU's water conservation program. The Rate Restructuring of 2003 led to a much greater water savings than expected ( Duer, 10/ 19/ 03). This result correlates with the central role SLCDPU has in influencing political and public attitudes toward water use. The political atmosphere in which the agency exists also affects how a water conservation policy can operate. SLCDPU answers mainly to the Salt Lake City Council and the Mayors of Salt Lake and Sandy. SLCDPU also uses its position to develop some of these attitudes ( Duer, 3/ 3/ 04). In the final analysis there are several key independent variables that allow SLCDPU to develop water conservation programs based on an economic approach. These include the precedents set by past SLCDPU actions and the current agency attitude as a result of these actions. The attitude toward water |