Water Source
  • Technology
    • Innovation
    • Research
    • Trends
  • Community
    • Customers
    • Engagement
    • Public Health
  • Environment
    • Natural Environment
    • Built Environment
  • Business
    • Assets & Operations
    • Diversity
    • Partnerships
    • Workplace
Search

More results

Generic filters
Filter by content type
Choose One/Select all
Water Source
  • Technology
    • Innovation
    • Research
    • Trends
  • Community
    • Customers
    • Engagement
    • Public Health
  • Environment
    • Natural Environment
    • Built Environment
  • Business
    • Assets & Operations
    • Diversity
    • Partnerships
    • Workplace
Search

More results

Generic filters
Filter by content type
Choose One/Select all
Water Source

Does Australia need recycled water ambassadors to change public perceptions?

Ruth Cooper by Ruth Cooper
25/02/2019
in Engagement
What’s an engaging way to get customers to embrace recycled drinking water? Use it to brew beer.
2 min read

What’s an engaging way to get customers to embrace recycled drinking water? Use it to brew beer.

The City of San Diego in the US did just that as part of its Pure Water program, which aims to provide one-third of the city’s water supply through recycled water by 2035.

When the program launched a decade ago, community acceptance of potable reuse was 26%. This has since increased to 76% following a number of community engagement initiatives, including a partnership with Stone Brewing.

Seqwater Drinking Water Quality Continuous Improvement Coordinator Daniel Healy visited the San Diego program during a research trip to the US, and said the partnership was part of a growing trend.

“Finding ambassadors or trusted influencers seems to be an important part of community engagement in the US, including medical professionals and water experts such as brewers, but also non-expert celebrities and well-regarded community leaders,” he said.

Healy also visited Orange County’s groundwater replenishment scheme and the City of Wichita Falls’ indirect potable reuse/direct potable reuse scheme, and will present what he learnt at Ozwater’19.

This includes the most significant challenges facing water utilities when it comes to potable reuse, and how Seqwater is approaching the issue.

The utility is currently one year into a three-year communication, education and engagement program that aims to create a ‘water wise’ South East Queensland (SEQ).

“This is defined as communities that are connected to and value water, have opportunities to participate in decision making and take action to manage water sustainably,” Healy said.

“To achieve this, Seqwater is informing communities of the various water supply options, including climate-resilient sources such as purified recycled water and desalination.”

As recycled water becomes an increasingly important resource, with population growth and climate change putting pressure on existing sources, Healy said it is important to address any negative perceptions customers might have.

“While the construction of the purified recycled water scheme in South East Queensland was contentious during the Millennium Drought, it remains an important part of the SEQ Drought Response Plan,” he said.

“In line with the plan, Seqwater will begin recommissioning the scheme when water supply levels reach 60%.

“As a result, having a social license for the operation of the scheme is a critical part of ensuring water security for the region.”

Hear more about Seqwater’s community engagement program at Ozwater’19. To register, click here.

Related podcast:

Share
Tags: PodcastsUtilitiesQueenslandSeqwaterRecycled WaterPotable ReuseSouth East Queensland (SEQ)Ozwater'19
Previous Post

Steve Dorricott appointed as Ventia’s Executive Manager Water

Next Post

Victoria home to world’s (second) best tasting tap water

Related Posts

Indigenous scholarship a first for an Australian water utility
Engagement

Indigenous scholarship a first for an Australian water utility

02/12/2019
Feedback wanted on Queensland non-urban water measurement policy proposals
Engagement

Feedback wanted on Queensland non-urban water measurement policy proposals

29/11/2019
Load More
Next Post
The buzz might be about “Green Book” being named best picture, but Wannon Water is celebrating its own win at the Academy Awards of water.

Victoria home to world’s (second) best tasting tap water

A worldwide trend to reclaim urban waterways could see Australia’s own Parramatta River ready for swimming by 2025, writes Thea Cowie.

Will we be swimming in Sydney's Parramatta River by 2025?

Please login to join discussion

TRENDING COMMUNITY NEWS

Recycled water creates an oasis in the outback

Recycled water creates an oasis in the outback

14/11/2019
Scientists invent slippery water-saving toilet coating

Scientists invent slippery water-saving toilet coating

04/12/2019
Indigenous scholarship a first for an Australian water utility

Indigenous scholarship a first for an Australian water utility

02/12/2019

Get our newsletter


The Australian Water Association is Australia’s biggest water network driving a sustainable water future as we share information and knowledge, connect members with industry and stakeholders, and inspire positive change.

Water Source is the Association’s online information hub for the water sector. It features articles, technical papers, podcasts, videos and resources on technology, the community, the environment, and business.

AWA

  • Membership
  • Events
  • Programs
  • Advertise with us
  • Subscribe to Water Source

OZWATER

  • About
  • Program
  • Exhibition
  • Sponsorship

H2OZ Jobs

  • Search jobs
  • Post a job
  • Student opportunities

Contact us

Australian Water Association
P.O. Box 222
St Leonards NSW 1590
Phone: +61 2 9436 0055
Email: info@awa.asn.au

Legal

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Water Source editorial guidelines

Get our newsletter

© 2018 Water Source

Search

More results

Generic filters
Filter by content type
Choose One/Select all
  • Technology
    • Innovation
    • Research
    • Trends
  • Community
    • Customers
    • Engagement
    • Public Health
  • Environment
    • Natural Environment
    • Built Environment
  • Business
    • Assets & Operations
    • Diversity
    • Partnerships
    • Workplace

© 2018 Water Source