WRRF releases Model Communication Plans to foster acceptance of potable reuse

Alexandria, Va. — Potable reuse involves the use of proven and reliable technology to purify recycled water so that it can safely supplement the drinking water supplies of communities. It is especially valuable to communities in water-scarce regions. Experience among water agencies and municipalities has shown, however, that public acceptance of direct potable reuse is one of the primary challenges facing this source of water supply.

The WateReuse Research Foundation released a how-to guide for building support for potable reuse on the statewide and community levels. Model Communication Plans for Increasing Awareness and Fostering Acceptance of Direct Potable Reuse (WRRF-13-02) provides a roadmap for advancing public acceptance of potable reuse projects by building support and awareness of existing and planned potable reuse programs and by fostering an understanding of the great need to continue to expand water supply sources.

This resource provides those involved with planning a potable reuse project with a catalog of promising and proven methods and messages for advancing potable reuse. A combination of literature review, face-to-face meetings, and public opinion research indicated that public acceptance of potable reuse can be achieved by implementing a coordinated, consistent, and transparent communication plan.

This project was funded by the WateReuse Research Foundation in cooperation with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The Principle Investigators were Mark Millan of Data Instincts, Patricia A. Tennyson of Katz & Associates, and Shane Snyder of the University of Arizona.

More information about the report and model communication plans is available at www.watereuse.org/product/13-02-1.