Laura Sarcone
Public Affairs Manager
Background
MissionParticipants will come away
from the Academy with a
better understanding of their
local water utility, and
equipped to help lead the
debate on important water
issues in the community now
and in the future.
Academy Format• Free
• Four-session crash course
• 16 hours of instruction, 2 treatment plant tours
• Local and national experts
• The timing of the start of the
Water Academy coincided with a
nationwide initiative,
“Imagine a Day Without Water”
Session ThemesSession 1: Imagine a Day Without Water
• Des Moines Water Works 100-year history
• Water Treatment 101
• Water Distribution 101
• What is a watershed? What is unique about the Raccoon River Watershed?
• Tour of Fleur Drive Treatment Plant
• Social/networking at Exile Brewing
Session 2: What is the Value of Water?• Water is critical to public health
• Costs associated with providing safe, affordable and abundant drinking water
• Economic value of clean water
• Tour of Saylorville Water Treatment Plant
Session ThemesSession 3: Working to Protect Source Water
• DMWW efforts to naturally clean source water
• Urban perspective
• Rural perspective
• Stream bank restoration
• Watershed management authorities
Session 4: Putting Knowledge into Practice• Law and policy solutions
• Challenges, progress and recommendations on agricultural land
• Watershed approach and other success stories
• Final Exercise: craft water quality policy for the Raccoon River Watershed
• Graduation
Speaker Recruitment
Participant RecruitmentOutreach and Publicity
• Dedicated website with online application
• Utility social media
• Industry, community, and business partners
Targeted Recruitment
• Service area public officials – city, county, state
• Young professionals
• Non-traditional water quality advocates
• Media
Participant RecruitmentGoal: 20 participants
Applications Received: 29 applications
Candidate Selection: Consideration given to ensuring
the class composition is diverse and regionally balanced.
Candidates must commit to attending all four sessions.
Final Count: 24 participants – Polk and Dallas County
Supervisors, public works director, ISU professor, State Hygienic Lab,
high school teacher, community, business and neighborhood leaders
Academy Logistics• Welcome Bag
• Academy Binder:– Welcome letter from General Manager
– Course schedule
– Maps of service area and facilities
– Organization chart
– Treatment process schematic
– Frequently used terminology and acronyms
– Divider for each session
– Speaker presentation slides
Academy Logistics• Appropriate breaks
with refreshments
• Transportation to off-site
treatment plant tour
• Social opportunity
• Graduation
• Evaluation and future participant recommendations
Review of Objectives
• Create appreciation for the value of water
• Educate community leaders
• Elevate the public health and clean water
nexus
• Create “water champions”
Participant Final Thoughts
“I have a new
insight when I fill
my glass of
water.”
Participant Final Thoughts
“I used to swim in the
Raccoon River in the 70s
and early 80s. Some
day, I hope my grandkids
will be able to swim in
public waters without risk
of getting sick.”
Participant Final Thoughts “This was a great
opportunity to learn and
better understand the
factors contributing to
Iowa's ag and water story.
The science behind it,
and the bargain that this
essential element of
clean water is to our
quality of life.”
Participant Final Thoughts
“I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from so
many experts in the field. This was a gift that I
hope to pay forward in advocacy and action.”
Implementing a Citizens Academy in your Community
• Support from leadership – utility general manager,
mayor, county supervisor, etc.
• Support from staff – defined budget and labor hours
• Identify issues specific to your community/watershed
• Relationships with allies and subject matter experts
• Schedule around key dates – upcoming rate increase,
legislation, etc.
Laura Sarcone
Public Affairs Manager
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