The Truro Daily News in Nova Scotia is publishing a three-part series of articles explaining the wastewater treatment process, written by Ramesh K. Ummat, director of public works for the Municipality of Colchester County.
I remember many years back, as a sports reporter on a weekly newspaper, working with the high school girls’ gymnastics coach to create a three-part series explaining that sport – the skills it required and how events were judged. As I recall, a fair number of people read it. But would people today read a series about wastewater treatment? I’m not being critical of Ummat – in fact I’m a big fan of anyone in the profession who takes time to reach out to the community. I’m just curious how this series will be received.
The first article begins, “Modern wastewater treatment is both an art and a science.” Ummat then explains the essentials of primary and secondary treatment and describes the upgrades made recently at the county’s treatment plant in the community of Old Barn. You can read the whole thing at http://www.trurodaily.com/News/Local/2012-11-12/article-3119041/Wastewater-treatment-an-art-and-a-science/1
I would be interested in Daily News readers’ reaction to this series, and even more so in TPO readers’ thoughts on this way of delivering the good news about treatment and clean water. Do you think this will be effective? Will people read it? Have you ever approached public education this way? What other methods have you used to help people in your community understand and appreciate what you do?
I welcome you to send me a note with your thoughts to editor@tpomag.com.
