As customer needs and community expectations evolve the water industry needs to match the pace of change in order to keep up. The future customer wants to be at the centre of the design process for a seamless experience and ability to engage meaningfully on decisions that impact them as a community.
Understanding stakeholders and communities
Community response to climate-resilient water sources varies significantly around the world. Research commissioned by the Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence revealed that long-term planning, extensive stakeholder engagement, and a legislative program is essential.
Research highlights that successful stakeholder engagement programs:
There were three components to this research and some key research outcomes.
Matters that influence community acceptance
Research by Victoria University found factors influencing community acceptance of potable water reuse include the quality and consistency of the community outreach, levels of water scarcity and perceived levels of environmental benefit. Their five reports address a key influence.
Perceptions and barriers
Community views on risk and safety
Customer attitudes by segment
Impact of water scarcity on acceptance of potable reuse
Engaging with culturally diverse communities
Rethinking engagement
An investigation into successful community engagement programs, conducted by the University of NSW, Australia, synthesises qualitative research results and implications for community engagement practices, and the design of media strategies.
Australian Water Futures: Rethinking Community Engagement
Water Recycling and Media: Guidelines for Communication
Water Recycling and the Public: Guidelines for Community Engagement
Enhancing risk communication
A study by Griffith University and The University of Queensland identifies enablers and barriers to effective risk communication, plus strategies to deal with the challenges in building confidence in potable water reuse projects.
Enhancing Risk Communication
Lessons learnt from national and international case studies
Stream 3 Products Evaluation Report – National Demonstration, Education and Engagement Program
National Demonstration, Education and Engagement Program Stream 3 Products Evaluation Report A report of a study funded by the Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence…
Potable Reuse Practices, Water Quality and Public Health
As part of the National Demonstration, Education and Engagement Program (NDEEP) project, we surveyed 400 people each in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to better…
Considering Water Reuse with Culturally Diverse Communities
Water Reuse and Communities ToolKit Module 3: Considering Water Reuse with Culturally Diverse Communities A report of a study funded by the Australian Water Recycling…
Adam Lovell – The Urban Water Cycle
Adam Lovell talking about the importance of explaining how the water industry operates to the community.
Water Quality And The Community – SA Water, Australia
Take the Tap Test is a blind water taste test. There are five water samples to taste – four from SA Water locations around South…
Water Quality And The Community – SA Water, Australia
Take the Tap Test is a blind water taste test. There are five water samples to taste – four from SA Water locations around South…
What About Toilet to Tap Terminology?
Water managers, utility CEOs, and engineers in the United States discuss perceptions around terminology…
PUB Singapore Community Drinking Recycled Water
Water engineers and scientists discuss the safety and reliability of potable reuse in Singapore.
Are there places that drink used water downstream of other communities?
Everyone downstream of a watershed drinks discharge and treated water released from upstream. So all water is recycled and drank anyway. US water managers discuss…
Think and Drink – Systems Thinking
This short animation uses the water recycling system on the International Space Station to introduce the idea that all water on Earth is and always…
Water Recycling and the Public: Guidelines for Community Engagement
Water Recycling and the Public: Guidelines for Community Engagement A report of a study funded by the Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence M. Kearnes…
Water Recycling and Media: Guidelines for Communication
Water Recycling and Media: Guidelines for Communication A report of a study funded by the Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence J. Motion and M.…
Community Understanding of Risk and Safety
Project Report Water Reuse and Communities Toolkit Module 2: Community Understanding of Risk and Safety in relation to Recycled Water A report of a study…
Community Perceptions and Barriers to Water Reuse
Water Reuse and Communities Toolkit Module 1: Community Perceptions and Barriers to Water Reuse A report of a study funded by the Australian Water Recycling…
Community Understanding of Risk and Safety in relation to Recycled Water
Water Reuse and Communities ToolKit Module 2: Community Understanding of Risk and Safety in relation to Recycled Water A report of a study funded by…
Considering Water Reuse with Culturally Diverse Communities
Water Reuse and Communities ToolKit Module 3: Considering Water Reuse with Culturally Diverse Communities A report of a study funded by the Australian Water Recycling…
Understanding Customer Attitudes and Segments
Water Reuse and Communities ToolKit Module 4: Understanding Customer Attitudes and Segments A report of a study funded by the Australian Water Recycling Centre of…
Australian Water Futures: Rethinking Community Engagement
Australian Water Futures: Rethinking Community Engagement A report of a study funded by the Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence University of New South Wales,…