AWWA ACE54298

Beginning in 1998, water utilities across the U.S. were required to prepare Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) detailing the contaminants detected in the drinking water and the health risks of these contaminants. The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (WASA), as a newly-formed authority, and having inherited poor public perception with respect to the quality of water supplied and the management of the distribution system, seized the opportunity to use the CCR to re-introduce itself and improve its image. The CCR was recognized as a vehicle to communicate improvements in water quality and services. Just as importantly, the stakeholder process used to develop the CCR served as a model for WASA's other public involvement activities and provided several spinoff benefits.