Creating public, policy maker understanding of water issues through aggressive public outreach

Three years ago, San Antonio Water System developed a new process for commu nicating with the general public and policy makers. At that time the commun ity had just defeated, for a second time, a proposal to develop San Antonio 's first surface water reservoir. The City also did not have a water plan. Consequently, at the time of the vote, citizens were confused and it was ea sier to say no than to vote to spend money on developing a new water projec t. The focus at San Antonio Water System then shifted to bringing citizens into the planning process through citizens' panels and town hall meetings. Those efforts contributed to raising citizen awareness and understanding of water issues. These communications efforts helped achieve some major resul ts in the City's efforts to control its water issue. Some successes include : the first comprehensive water plan unanimously passing City Council at th e end of 1998; the beginning of construction of a major water recycling pip eline (35,000 acre feet); and, a proposal to purchase 60,000-90,000 acre fe et of water located more than 100 miles from the City being met with genera l acceptance.