Rigorous evaluations can be a critical element of resource conservation programs, since they
provide documented results and feedback important for designing and improving effective
programs. Evaluations are uncommon in the world of water conservation programs. This paper
discusses the methodology and findings of a comprehensive impact and process evaluation of
Seattle Public Utility's 2001 Water Smart Technology program (WST). WST provides financial
incentives for commercial and industrial customers to install a variety of water-saving measures.
The impact portion of the evaluation estimated actual gross savings from a sample of 25 WST
projects using pre- and post-installation measurements of system performance. The impact
evaluation also estimated net savings for these projects based on decision-maker interviews.
The evaluation then systematically extrapolated gross and net results from evaluated measures to
the entire program.
The process portion of the evaluation relied upon data gathered in interviews with both
participants and non-participants. It yielded insights into organizational structures and decision-making
processes among commercial customers, WST program knowledge and satisfaction,
barriers to implementing conservation projects, and program tracking and delivery needs. The
information gleaned from both the process and impact portions of the evaluation are expected to
guide future improvements to the WST program. Includes tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 340 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 12 |
| Published : | 06/15/2003 |
