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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. Today’s Agenda. Indirect potable reuse facts Communication challenges Changes within water industry Keys to success

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  1. You Want Me to Drink What??How Utilities Can Work with Stakeholders to Develop an Indirect Potable Reuse SystemSara KatzOctober 11, 2010 www.katzandassociates.com

  2. Today’s Agenda • Indirect potable reuse facts • Communication challenges • Changes within water industry • Keys to success • Successful program example

  3. The Facts Indirect potable reuse is: • Safe and reliable • Technically sound • Environmentally conscious • Sustainable • Necessary

  4. Terminology Sewer water “Toilet to Tap” Primary/Secondary Treatment Contaminants Discharge levels Toxins The “yuck”factor Wastewater Indirect Potable Reuse Reservoir Augmentation Unclear and negative terms lead to mixed messages

  5. Challenges • Knowledge/understanding • “Purpose and need” description • “Political football”/campaign issue • Government mistrust • Competing priorities within agencies

  6. Challenges • Defensiveness about safety • Overcoming historical opposition/failures • Disconnect within water/wastewater industry • Emerging contaminants • Media portrayal

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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”

  11. 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)

  12. 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

  13. 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!

  14. You Want Me to Drink What?How Utilities Can Work with Stakeholders to Develop an Indirect Potable Reuse System SARA KATZ skatz@katzandassociates.com (858) 926-4001

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