Web Content Display

Public education materials can be useful to move local communities toward sustainable financing of water, wastewater, and stormwater services.Public education materials can be useful to raise awareness and promote action. These materials must present the issue in clear language geared toward the average consumer and raise awareness of water services issues facing the community, as well as the value of water services.

The following documents are examples of outreach materials that have been developed by local, state, and national programs. Similar informational materials could be distributed at community events, on websites, in customer mailings, etc. You can use and adapt any of the materials here as models for your own public outreach campaign.  

American Water Works Association (AWWA) Only Tap Water Delivers

This public outreach campaign helps communities educate their residents about the value of water services to garner support for infrastructure investment. Utilities who are AWWA members can download the full suite of program materials, including public service announcements (PSA's), bill inserts, fact sheets, and much more.

American Society of Civil Enginners (ASCE)/Colcom Foundation Liquid Assets

This outreach campaign has a national audience, and features a 90-minute documentary Liquid Assets to provide information on the importance of water infrastructure in economic development and public health. A corresponding outreach guide (Liquid Assets Community Toolkit Outreach Guide) is available for free download.

Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) and Openlands What's our Water Worth?

This local outreach campaign (northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana)

is aimed at educating residents about the value of water.  Features a news feed as well as links to regional resources and local events.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Water Infrastructure: Moving Toward Sustainability

This program provides a wealth of information on best practices and resources for building sustainable water systems as detailed in the agency's Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy. Target audiences include local officials, consumers, and utilities.

Water Environment Federation Water is Life and Infrastructure Makes it HappenTM

This educational program is geared to assist utilities build support for infrastructure investment – by reaching out to rate payers, the public, elected officials. Materials provided include public service announcements (PSA's), bill inserts, presentations, press releases, and more. All are available for free download.

For more information, contact Margaret Schneemann, Water Resource Economist of CMAP at 312-676-7456.