Western States Water Council IDAHO WATER REUSE CONFERENCE Advisor - PDF document

5/10/2012 Western States Water Council IDAHO WATER REUSE CONFERENCE • Advisor to 18 western APRIL 18, 2012 governors on water policy issues • Provides collective Nathan Bracken Western States Water Council voice • Fosters collaboration Dan Adams • Formal affiliate of the The Langdon Group Western Governors’ Association (WGA) Reuse Regulation Downstream State Regulation Upstream California Utah • State laws and policies • Strict legal framework promote reuse • Reuse is relatively new • Long history with reuse • Mixed political • Political support for perspectives reuse • Low raw water supply • High raw water supply costs costs Factors Influencing Reuse Public Concerns Lack of understanding about water supply Drivers Barriers • Scarcity of water • Public opposition supplies • Water right protections • High raw water supply • Inconsistent state policy costs • Regulatory burdens • Public desire to • Project funding conserve • Treatment requirements 1

5/10/2012 Public Concerns Public Concerns Lack of understanding about water cycle Negative or confusing terminology Public Concerns Public Concerns The “Yuck” Factor Media influence “We expect [California’s] Recycled Water Task Force to offer a final report…that will contribute to dumping even more potentially hazardous contaminants into California’s drinking water.” ‐ Shaffer, R.; Robinson, R. Other View: “Toilet to Tap:” Let’s Not Get Hasty. Sacramento Bee, April 7, 2003 . State Reuse Efforts Factors influencing public acceptance 2009 Corvallis, OR Study • Recent Rulemaking/Legislation (ID, MT, WA) Influencing factors Credible Sources • State ‐ Initiated Reports (TX, UT, and others) • Sustainability • OR State Univ. (93%) • Component in State Water Plans (various) • Trust in the city • Other univ. scientists • State ‐ Led Reuse Taskforces (AZ, CA, OR, WA) (78%) • Prior knowledge of wastewater • OR. Dep’t of Health (77%) • Education • OR. DEQ (75%) • EPA (61%) 2

5/10/2012 Addressing public concerns Addressing public concerns Arizona Recommendations CA Recommendations • Create coalition with • State should take leadership role industry to create an • Community value ‐ based decision ‐ making “acceptable lexicon” • State ‐ hosted website • Comprehensive curricula for public schools with reuse information • Information program for the media • “Water Reuse Day” • Encourage academic program for universities • State ‐ hosted education workshops Addressing public concerns Addressing public concerns Oregon Recommendations Texas Recommendations • Develop “clear and “[I]t is extremely important that proactive public coherent” state policy outreach and awareness programs be • Regulatory process implemented on a local, regional, and statewide guidance basis.” • Remove stigmatizing ‐ Texas Water Dev. Bd., History of Water Reuse in Texas , 22 (Feb. 2011). language • Show benefits through education and outreach Addressing public concerns Common themes from State efforts • Refine terminology • States can take lead in encouraging reuse (where appropriate) • Clear and coherent state policies are essential • Improve access to information • Involve local stakeholders in all project phases • Proactive public and policy maker education 3

5/10/2012 The Old and The New The Old • NEPA requires public involvement • Hold an open house – “Tell the community what you • Transportation was the first to embrace public are going to do.” involvement as part of NEPA • Have some one ‐ on ‐ one • Municipal only embraced public involvement interaction in scattered areas around the country • Hold a bond election and • Today with tight dollars and failing hope for the best infrastructure, you now HAVE to do it • Go ask for a grant The Five The New • Engagement of Policy, Program and Public • Planning • Situational Assessment • Engineering • Engage the Silent Majority • Funding – Messaging and Brand Development – Online Open House • Environmental – Visual Voice • Public and Agency Engagement – One ‐ on ‐ one Stakeholder Facilitation – Informational Website Through Construction – Online video – Social Media Messaging & Branding Online Open House 4

5/10/2012 Visual Voice Project Websites Key Learning Points… • Trust • If you are going to do engagement (and you will have to), do it right! • Community Solution to a Community Problem • Education • Funding contact information DANIEL R. ADAMS dadams@langdongroupinc.com 801.886.9052 www.langdongroupinc.com 5