Biosolids Management — Public Relations, Public Education, and Public Involvement

Abstract

More and more, biosolids issues are becoming public issues. In fact, public opinion can affect local regulations and ultimately affect your biosolids management processes. You can ask for help with outreach, but you cannot contract it away. And the public is demanding involvement. How can you get public support?There are three levels of connecting with the public -public relations, public education, and public involvement. How does your utility rank on each of the levels? No matter where you rank, there are some simple ways you can improve your connection with the public. Most importantly: be visible, be accessible to the public and the media, and be proactive in gaining public support.