The Way We Talk About Water Matters: Insights from the 2022 National Waterways Literacy Survey

by Shannon Pepper | Mar 24, 2023 | Communications and Outreach

With constant access to a 24-hour news cycle and 86% of Americans now receiving news on their digital devices, it is impossible to avoid hearing about water stories in our communities and around the world.  According to Water Words That Work – a public relations...

Preventing Emerging Contaminants from Entering Your Wastewater System

by Shannon Pepper | Mar 3, 2023 | Communications and Outreach, Managerial & Financial Leadership, Stormwater

Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) are chemicals found in surface water that may cause ecological or human health impacts. In wastewater, one of the most common types of CECs are pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). The EPA is not currently...

Overcoming the ‘Yuck’ Factor: Shaping Public Perception of Potable Reuse

by Shannon Pepper | Dec 13, 2022 | Communications and Outreach, Conservation, Risk and Resiliency to Climate Hazards, Wastewater

If someone asked you to drink reclaimed wastewater, what would you say? What if they asked you to drink purified water? Clearly the latter sounds more appealing, but both these terms are often used to talk about the same thing: wastewater from homes and businesses...

How Small Water Systems Can Understand their Target Audience for Better Outreach

by Shannon Pepper | Nov 4, 2022 | Communications and Outreach

Every water system communicates with stakeholders. Would you like to see your community value water more? Perhaps you are raising your rates? Or are you seeking support from local leaders such as elected officials or agency leaders for overdue infrastructure projects?...

Social Media Marketing for Water and Wastewater Systems: Getting Started

by Shannon Pepper | Oct 10, 2022 | Communications and Outreach, General Management & Finance

Here in the digital age, approximately 7 out of 10 Americans use social media. We connect with our friends, co-workers, as well as businesses or services. If water and wastewater utilities dial in to this unique opportunity of having the digital world at their...

Getting to the Source: Stormwater Management Education

by Shannon Pepper | Sep 28, 2022 | Communications and Outreach, Green Infrastructure, Source Water Protection, Stormwater

When I meet with any community to discuss water quality issues, especially a group that is reluctant to implement stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs), the first question I always ask is, “Do you know where your drinking water comes from?” It never ceases to...