Utility Resources
Documents and resources to help utilities be more efficient, connect with the public and each other, and assist in managing your utility and educating your staff.
*Note that some links will bring you to external websites not directly affiliated with NEWWA.
Public Outreach Resources
A myriad of consumer communication materials exist for utilities in multiple locations across the web. This page includes some of the materials that are available and NEWWA encourages you to utilize them all year.
Note that most of the below are free, but some AWWA materials may require a member login for access (note that NEWWA membership does not afford you AWWA benefits as they are a separate organization). This list will be added to as new materials and resources are created. Contact Kirsten King if you’d like a resource added.
Drinking Water Week
For more than 40 years the American Water Works Association and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week – a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together in recognizing the vital role water plays in our daily lives.
National Drinking Water Week is always the first full week of May.
To access and download materials to help your utility communicate with customers and stakeholders during Drinking Water Week, visit the American Water Works Association Web site.
United for Water and The Value of Water Campaign
The Value of Water Campaign, spearheaded by leading organizations and individuals, educates the nation about how our water is essential, invaluable, and in need of investment. The Value of Water Campaign has been building public and political will for investment in America’s aging and failing water infrastructure since 2015. Visit the United for Water website to access public education resources.
DrinkTap.org
Drinktap.org is a consumer-oriented Web site that is specifically geared toward consumer education and outreach. All utilities are encouraged to link their websites to drinktap.org. Drinktap.org aims to “help answer your (consumers’) questions about what’s true, and what isn’t about drinking water.”
Imagine A Day Without Water
Imagine a Day Without Water turned 10 in 2024! Over last decade, we’ve seen some key changes in the way our nation values water, reflected in the historic federal investment in water through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, increased incentives to develop water systems that alleviate climate impacts and promote sustainability, and a stronger commitment to building equitable water systems so all can access our most precious resource. Though we’ve come a long way, there’s still much progress to be made—which is where you come in.
Imagine a Day Without Water takes place every October. Visit imagineadaywithoutwater.org for full details and to access free educational materials.
Pre-Packaged Educational Outreach Presentation Materials
NEWWA’s Youth Education committee has developed a series of educational modules for grades K-12. Click on the below links to download these modules for use in the classroom. All modules are compatible with each New England state’s core curriculum standards.
For Grades K-3
“Imagine A Day Without Water” Module
“Water Conservation” Module
For Grades 4-8
Water Quality and Laboratory Activity – Cover Sheet
Water Quality and Laboratory Activity – Procedures
Interactive Watershed Overview Module
For Grades 9-12
Water Audit Module
Career Education Module
Emergency Response & Mutual Aid
Water and Wastewater Agency Response Networks
A Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) is a network of utilities helping other utilities to respond to and recover from emergencies. The purpose of a WARN is to provide a method whereby water/wastewater utilities that have sustained or anticipate damages from natural or human-caused incidents can provide and receive emergency aid and assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials, and other associated services as necessary from other water/wastewater utilities. Each New England state has its own WARN and you can obtain more information and join by visiting their Web sites:
You may also visit the www.nationalwarn.org Web site for further details.
Water ISAC
The Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC) was authorized by Congress in 2002 and created and managed by the water sector. Its mission is to keep drinking water and wastewater utility managers informed about potential risks to the nation’s water infrastructure from contamination, terrorism and cyber threats. The mission has been expanded to help utilities respond to and recover from all hazards. For full information and to join visit www.waterisac.org.
Water Rate Surveys
Several firms and utilities publish water rate surveys that utilities can utilize in benchmarking analyses. If you would like a survey added to the below list, please contact Kirsten King.
The New England Stormwater Collaborative
The New England Stormwater Collaborative was formed by the New England Water Works Association, New England Water Environment Association, and New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association with the objectives of EDUCATION, UNDERSTANDING, and ACTION. The collaborative works to engage the stormwater community, provide a forum for information and education exchange, and advocate sound stormwater management practices.
Each year the New England Stormwater Collaborative awards three New England Stormy Awards for the best ideas in the world of stormwater management.
The New England Stormwater Collaborative continues its efforts to identify the best stormwater work in New England. The Stormy Award program’s goals are to identify simple, imaginative, unique, and inventive stormwater ideas in three categories:
1. Stormwater Management/Green Infrastructure
2. Political Support/Funding/Outreach
3. Program Efficiency/Technology
Visit www.nestormwater.org for full details about the New England Stormwater Collaborative, including the annual Stormy Awards.
Partnership for Safe Water
The Partnership for Safe Water is an unprecedented alliance of six prestigious drinking water organizations. The Partnership’s mission is to improve the quality of water delivered to customers by optimizing water system operations. The Partnership offers self-assessment and optimization programs so that operators, managers and administrators have the tools to improve performance above and beyond even proposed regulatory levels.
