Start video transcript:
Water Wise News Promo Video

Two people are looking at a calendar, one of them holding a big marker. He then marks the watering day on the calendar with the marker.
Voice singing: Let’s have a conversation about water conservation.
A hand is turning a faucet on, then a close-up is shown of the inside of a spigot with drops of water dripping off and you can see the threads and a spindle in the middle of it.
Voice singing: It’s all up to you (You then hear two well-placed drip sounds.)
…. and me.
You see a lot of people swimming in Barton Springs Pool.
Voice : Howdy Folks, This is Ray Benson of ‘Asleep at the Wheel’
You see a picture of the Pennybacker Bridge spanning the lake.
Voice: along with the Austin Water Utility
There is a scan of the downtown sky-scape
There is a close up of a sprinkler spraying water all around.
Voice: Reminding you to watch your water and conserve
You see a hand moving the sprinkler further in to the yard away from a sidewalk.
Voice: So now, watch your water, watch your water.
There are three children with floaties on standing in knee-deep water, splashing each other
Voice: Like it was your son or daughter.
There same three children with floaties on are standing on bar rock, looking around and one child pointing off screen
You see boaters skimming on Lady Bird Lake.
Voice: Water conservation:
You see a close-up of a man water skiing by and he does a small jump
Voice: It’s all up to you and me.
You see a picture of the Austin skyline from across Lady Bird Lake. There is an Austin Water Utility logo in the corner and the phone number to report water wasting comes on - 974-2199 – and the URL www.waterwise.org.

Start audio transcript:
Let’s have a conversation about water conservation
It’s all up to you and me.

Now water, water everywhere
But you just stop and think
Of all the wasted water
Goin’ down your kitchen sink.
And the lawn you water constantly
Takes a mighty thirsty drink.
Observe, conserve, you’ve got the nerve,
It’s not hard as you think

Now the water that you see, my friend,
Before it comes your way
Is treated at a treatment plant
That’s workin’ night and day

Now that takes lots of energy
Producin’ greenhouse gases.
So water less, it’s for the best,
Before the moment passes

So now, watch your water, watch your water.
Like it was your son or daughter.
Water conservation: It’s all up to you and me.

For Immediate Release – July 29, 2008

AUSTIN - On Wednesday, July 30th, at 10:00 a.m., in the Press Briefing room at City Hall, Austin City Councilman Lee Leffingwell will unveil a new Austin Water Utility (AWU) Water Conservation campaign featuring local musician Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel.

The new jingle, "Observe & Conserve," was written and performed by Benson, who is nationally known for hits such as "Dance With Who Brung You," "Texas Me And You," and "Miles and Miles of Texas," among others. AWU tapped into Benson for his creative genius and began airing the new jingles on radio stations throughout Central Texas last week. A 30 second commercial featuring Benson singing the tunes will begin airing on local television stations this week. The placement and timing of the campaign coincides with the fact that July and August are historically high demands months for water usage.

Austin City Council Member Lee Leffingwell said he is excited to have Ray Benson addressing water conservation efforts. "Teaming up with Ray Benson to help publicize the Austin Water Utility's water conservation efforts is a perfect fit," he said. "Ray is passionate about conserving water and has implemented many water saving measures in his daily life. He not only strikes a chord with Austin's vibrant music scene - he's also a great environmental steward."

AWU has received over 2,400 water waste reports since the ordinance went into effect and now AWU has partnered with the City of Austin 3-1-1 Call Center to handle water waste reports through 3-1-1 beginning August 1st. The 3-1-1 Call Center will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (including holidays) to take water waste calls.

The watering ordinance requires residential customers with addresses ending in odd numbers water their lawns only on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays, and customers with even addresses water on Thursdays and/or Sundays. Commercial and multi-family residential units can only water on Tuesdays and/or Fridays. The ordinance requires that lawn watering must be done before 10 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m. For more information you may visit www.waterwiseaustin.org.

Media Contact:
Kevin Buchman
Email to: Kevin.Buchman@ci.austin.tx.us
City of Austin Water Utility
(512) 972-0151; pgr.(512) 802-8959