You Want Me to Drink What?? How Utilities Can Work with Stakeholders to Develop an Indirect Potable...
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You Want Me to Drink What?? How Utilities Can Work with Stakeholders to Develop an Indirect Potable Reuse System Sara Katz October 11, 2010 www.katzandassociates.com
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Transcript of You Want Me to Drink What?? How Utilities Can Work with Stakeholders to Develop an Indirect Potable...
You Want Me to Drink What??
How Utilities Can Work with Stakeholders to Develop an Indirect
Potable Reuse System
Sara KatzOctober 11, 2010
www.katzandassociates.com
Today’s Agenda
Indirect potable reuse facts Communication challenges Changes within water industry Keys to success Successful program example
The Facts
Indirect potable reuse is: Safe and reliable Technically sound Environmentally conscious Sustainable Necessary
Terminology
Discharge levelsDischarge levels
Sewer waterSewer water
Primary/Secondary
Primary/Secondary TreatmentTreatment
The “yuck”The “yuck” factorfactor
““Toilet to Tap”Toilet to Tap”
Unclear and negative terms lead to mixed messages
Indirect Indirect
Potable Potable
ReuseReuse
WastewaterWastewaterReservoir Reservoir Augmentati
Augmentationon
ContaminantsContaminants
ToxinsToxins
Challenges
Knowledge/understanding “Purpose and need” description “Political football”/campaign issue Government mistrust Competing priorities within agencies
Challenges
Defensiveness about safety Overcoming historical
opposition/failures Disconnect within water/wastewater
industry Emerging contaminants Media portrayal
Role of the Media
“A Tall, Cold Drink of…….Sewage” – NYT, August 2009
“Poop to Soup” – Voice of San Diego Name that Water Contest – Sept. 2010
“Toliet to Tap” – used in many media stories – from Upper San Gabriel Valley’s project in the 1990’s
What is the Real Agenda?
Dublin San Ramon – Growth inducing Redwood City – Property values Upper San Gabriel – Miller Brewing
Co. City of San Diego – Environmental
Injustice LA’s East Valley Project - Politics
Water Industry
Unite behind common vision Less focus on water history – more
on producing “right” water for “right” use
Consistent water terminology leads to understanding
Water Industry
Partnership between water supply and wastewater treatment agencies – Interconnected, valuable service
providers – Collaboration vs. competition– Consider sustainability aspects– Rename water-related facilities
• “Resource Recovery Plant” vs. “Sewer Plant”
Keys to Success
Unified, consistent approach within proponent agencies
Outreach efforts tailored to specific project, audience and region
Opinion leaders and media – high priority audiences
Multicultural outreach (if appropriate)
Keys to Success
Research and ongoing program evaluation
Consistent purpose/need message Trained team and ample resources
(people/money) Champions – political, environmental,
health, labor, etc. Frame project early – unified voice
Successful Program
Orange County Groundwater Replenishment System Consistent messages Strong leadership Focused outreach Extensive research (focus groups, surveys) Effective multicultural outreach Frequent media and policy-maker briefings Generous resources/commitment/priority Kept their eye on the ball!
You Want Me to Drink What?
How Utilities Can Work with Stakeholders to Develop an Indirect
Potable Reuse System
SARA [email protected]
(858) 926-4001
