Nance, Rahkia

Titles from this speaker

Description: Data-driven Public Outreach: Using a Community Survey and Market Research to Create...

Data-driven Public Outreach: Using a Community Survey and Market Research to Create a Campaign that Engages Customers

Abstract

Anne Arundel County is navigating a challenging set of regulatory and non-regulatory requirements to comply with the Clean Water Act and Maryland Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) goals. As part of an integrated strategy to achieve water quality goals, the County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) is implementing a program to reduce nutrient loads from Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems (OSDS). One of the solutions includes a significant septic-to-sewer conversion program that will make connection to the sewer system more affordable for residents. To support this program, the County began a communications strategy to stimulate personal motivation and foster an individual’swillingness to pay for improvements. A quantitative assessment of community knowledge was developed, with a survey and sampling plan designed to measure awareness of water quality topics and willingness to pay for a septic-to-sewer infrastructure program.

As part of an integrated strategy to achieve water quality goals, the Anne Arundel County (Md.) Department of Public Works is implementing a program to reduce nutrient loads from Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems. One solution is a septic-to-sewer conversion program that reduces the cost of connecting to the sewer system. The program’s communications strategy was designed to stimulate personal motivation and foster willingness to pay for improvements. This strategy was based on a quantitative assessment of community knowledge, and a survey and sampling plan to measure awareness of water quality topics and willingness to pay for a septic-to-sewer infrastructure program.

SpeakerNance, Rahkia

Presentation time

14:30:00

14:45:00

Session time

13:30:00

15:00:00

SessionPathogen Pep-Talk: How We Monitor, Model, and Convey Data

Session number510

TopicDisinfection and Public Health, Public Communication and Outreach, Watershed Management, Water Quality, and Groundwater

Author(s)

Rahkia Nance

Author(s)E. Shea3; G. Heiner2; R. Nance1;

Author affiliation(s)HDR, Vienna, VA1,3Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, Millersville, MD2

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2021

DOI10.2175/193864718825158155

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count18

Description: Using Adaptive Communications to Encourage Septic Conversion Through a...

Using Adaptive Communications to Encourage Septic Conversion Through a Community-driven Process

Abstract

As part of a multi-pronged strategy to reduce nutrients for the Chesapeake Bay, the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works (the County) launched a voluntary Septic-to-Sewer connection program in 2021 designed to make public sewer connections more affordable. HDR launched a public outreach program that emphasizes the public education of septic impacts on water quality and provides information on the new program. During more than two dozen outreach meetings, the project team gained important feedback from the community. At the end of the first program application cycle, the team compiled lessons learned in an application debrief meeting. The collaborative discussion informed program changes including communications strategies as well as policy changes. During the second application cycle the team further adjusted its approach to revise its message and the level of detail, which resulted in greater understanding by homeowners. Adaptive management of community outreach has fostered continuous improvement of program messaging.

In 2021, Anne Arundel County, Maryland launched a voluntary Septic-to-Sewer connection program. HDR helped establish an outreach program to educate the public on water quality and to inform residents about the new program. During more than two dozen outreach meetings, the team compiled lessons learned and continued to adjust its message and level of detail, resulting in a greater understanding by homeowner.

SpeakerHe, Ziwei

Presentation time

15:30:00

16:00:00

Session time

15:30:00

17:00:00

SessionCommunications Plans and Actions: Septics, Source Control, and Stakeholders

Session locationRoom S401a - Level 4

TopicCollection Systems, Fundamental Level, PFAS, Public Communication and Outreach, Utility Management and Leadership

Author(s)

Heiner, George