Water Resources Education Assessment - La Paz County Programs

Name of Program/Location/Point of Contact:

La Paz County Cooperative Extension
Janice Shelton, County Director
P.O. Box 3485
Parker, Arizona 85344-3485
(520) 669-9843
email: shelton@ag.arizona.edu

Description of Programs

A. Water Management/Conservation Program

This program is intended to increase community awareness of best management practices (bmp's) for indoor and outdoor water use. Master gardener programs are delivered as training workshops or demonstrations at garden centers throughout the county.

B. Water Quality Program

This program is directed primarily at onsite water treatment systems (e.g. septic tank and drain field).

Audience: The above programs serve the La Paz County communities. Water education programs in La Paz County emphasize youth and Colorado River Indian Tribes. These programs are also directed to underserved areas of the County. Upon request, La Paz County personnel also conduct these programs for residents living along the Colorado River in California.

Current Status: The University of Arizona La Paz County Cooperative Extension employs one part time instructional specialist focusing on water. This agent works in partnership with many individuals and agencies to continue the programs as described. The funding for these programs depends upon grants from local, state and federal agencies.

Impacts: Public outreach and other education programs improve residents understanding of water resources and water quality issues. The water quality waste water treatment system program increases citizen awareness of problems associated with onsite septic system failures.

Lessons Learned: Developing an education program, writing educational material or offering workshops do not constitute an effective community outreach program. The key to effective community outreach is person to person communication and follow-up. Effective community outreach requires an aggressive marketing effort.

Curriculum/supplies list: Contact Janice Shelton

• Visual aids have been produced for landscape irrigation practices.
• Low water use plant guide and water facts bulletin have been produced (included as an enclosure)
• Limited grey water research has been conducted and results published in a bulletin (included as an enclosure)
• Two thirty-minute television programs have been produced and are available on video tape.
• Groundwater flow model and septic model available for check out.