Laura Sarcone

Public Affairs Manager

Background

MissionParticipants will come away

from the Academy with a

better understanding of their

local water utility, and

equipped to help lead the

debate on important water

issues in the community now

and in the future.

Academy Format• Free

• Four-session crash course

• 16 hours of instruction, 2 treatment plant tours

• Local and national experts

• The timing of the start of the

Water Academy coincided with a

nationwide initiative,

“Imagine a Day Without Water”

Session ThemesSession 1: Imagine a Day Without Water

• Des Moines Water Works 100-year history

• Water Treatment 101

• Water Distribution 101

• What is a watershed? What is unique about the Raccoon River Watershed?

• Tour of Fleur Drive Treatment Plant

• Social/networking at Exile Brewing

Session 2: What is the Value of Water?• Water is critical to public health

• Costs associated with providing safe, affordable and abundant drinking water

• Economic value of clean water

• Tour of Saylorville Water Treatment Plant

Session ThemesSession 3: Working to Protect Source Water

• DMWW efforts to naturally clean source water

• Urban perspective

• Rural perspective

• Stream bank restoration

• Watershed management authorities

Session 4: Putting Knowledge into Practice• Law and policy solutions

• Challenges, progress and recommendations on agricultural land

• Watershed approach and other success stories

• Final Exercise: craft water quality policy for the Raccoon River Watershed

• Graduation

Speaker Recruitment

Participant RecruitmentOutreach and Publicity

• Dedicated website with online application

• Utility social media

• Industry, community, and business partners

Targeted Recruitment

• Service area public officials – city, county, state

• Young professionals

• Non-traditional water quality advocates

• Media

Participant RecruitmentGoal: 20 participants

Applications Received: 29 applications

Candidate Selection: Consideration given to ensuring

the class composition is diverse and regionally balanced.

Candidates must commit to attending all four sessions.

Final Count: 24 participants – Polk and Dallas County

Supervisors, public works director, ISU professor, State Hygienic Lab,

high school teacher, community, business and neighborhood leaders

Academy Logistics• Welcome Bag

• Academy Binder:– Welcome letter from General Manager

– Course schedule

– Maps of service area and facilities

– Organization chart

– Treatment process schematic

– Frequently used terminology and acronyms

– Divider for each session

– Speaker presentation slides

Academy Logistics• Appropriate breaks

with refreshments

• Transportation to off-site

treatment plant tour

• Social opportunity

• Graduation

• Evaluation and future participant recommendations

Review of Objectives

• Create appreciation for the value of water

• Educate community leaders

• Elevate the public health and clean water

nexus

• Create “water champions”

Participant Final Thoughts

“I have a new

insight when I fill

my glass of

water.”

Participant Final Thoughts

“I used to swim in the

Raccoon River in the 70s

and early 80s. Some

day, I hope my grandkids

will be able to swim in

public waters without risk

of getting sick.”

Participant Final Thoughts “This was a great

opportunity to learn and

better understand the

factors contributing to

Iowa's ag and water story.

The science behind it,

and the bargain that this

essential element of

clean water is to our

quality of life.”

Participant Final Thoughts

“I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from so

many experts in the field. This was a gift that I

hope to pay forward in advocacy and action.”

Implementing a Citizens Academy in your Community

• Support from leadership – utility general manager,

mayor, county supervisor, etc.

• Support from staff – defined budget and labor hours

• Identify issues specific to your community/watershed

• Relationships with allies and subject matter experts

• Schedule around key dates – upcoming rate increase,

legislation, etc.

Laura Sarcone

Public Affairs Manager