Public Outreach for Potable Reuse: Pure Water – Let’s Drink to the Future!

Public outreach for potable reuse requires a strategic approach to ensure success. Both traditional outreach and new, tailored communication methods are key to convincing water customers that purified water is safe for human consumption. Fortunately, the last several years have proven to be akin to a full generation’s change in the water world, and the public, as exemplified by water customers from the City of San Diego (Pure Water San Diego) and the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Pure Water Silicon Valley) have become more comfortable with and supportive of potable reuse.This paper lays out and discusses the proven methods and the new approaches that are essential for developing a community outreach program for a potable reuse project. If these tools and tactics are implemented, water agencies can feel confident they have the best opportunity for moving forward with a full-scale water reuse program.