Mary Alfonso believes water and wastewater are the “silent utilities” in most communities, largely unnoticed and not appreciated until something goes wrong.As public affairs manager for the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD), Alfonso is part of an effort launched 16 years ago to raise the profile of water and wastewater services in Detroit and in the surrounding communities and counties that are the department’s wholesale customers.Alfonso is part of a Public Education Work Group that earned the 2012 Educational Professional of the Year Award from the Michigan Water Environment Association. It was the first time the MWEA gave the
