The Water Environment Federation now offers “Survival Guide: Public Communications for Water Professionals." This 133-page manual walks readers through the essentials of keeping community members well informed of water and wastewater operations.
The maunual covers topics including public communications strategy development, creating communication tools like news releases, advertising, brochures and exhibits, face-to-face communications including public meetings, working with advisory committees, and dealing with the news media.
In the preface, the authors invite readers to take a simple test: Which statements sound like something you or your colleagues would say?
1. The only time we talk with ratepayers is when they have a complaint.
2. Reporters never call unless there has been a complaint about the facility.
3. Citizens oppose facility expansions and rate increases.
4. We’re technical professionals and shouldn’t have to be communicators too.
5. Every time the media mentions us, they get the facts wrong.
6. Our customers know what happens after they flush the toilet.
7. Our community knows they have an award-winning wastewater treatment facility.
8. Our civic leaders and local and regional media have toured our treatment facility.
9. Our facility has been the subject of a positive newspaper story.
10. Local educators view our staff and facility as resources for students.
If you chose the last five statements, the authors say, you probably don’t need to read this book. If you chose the first five, you’re ready to learn the art of public communications. You can find the Survival Guide at http://www.wef.org/communications.
