AWWA ACE70739

This paper discusses a research study on strategic use of social media to achieve the goals and messages of water/wastewater utilities. Social media offers a method of reaching out to the public with ease and speed. Furthermore, it enables public agencies to have control over the message while remaining transparent. Specific questions/goals of the research included: what forms of the new media do people use in general; what forms of the new media do people use to participate in local public policy issues; how willing are people to use various forms of new media to participate; what are the reasons people are not using new media to participate; and, what degree of interest do people have in water, transportation, environmental and land use issues? An initial survey was done of 45 participants in the San Diego area, asking questions about their interest in local public policy issues and willingness to use new media to participate in issues and discussions. Based on the responses, the authors developed a formal survey for 442 national phone interviews, and the respondents were weighted by gender and age to match the U.S. Census data. Results of the survey are discussed in terms of: internet access; adoption of new media; barriers to adoption of new media; and, traditional public participation vs. new media participation. Includes figures.