Book talks plainly about drinking water

In the complicated world of water, it’s nice to have some plain talk.

Plain Talk About Drinking Water, now in its sixth iteration, cuts through the jargon with 170 pages of clear, accessible information about water, including:

• The aesthetics of tap water
• How water is used in a home
• Distribution details
• Conservation how-to’s
• The ins and outs of regulations

It’s ideal for both new and seasoned water utility representatives — particularly those who work with the public — who need to communicate clearly about drinking water. It’s an excellent reference book for community spaces. It’s a trustworthy resource for consumers who just want answers to common drinking water questions.

It’s ideal for both new and seasoned water utility representatives — particularly those who work with the public — who need to communicate clearly about drinking water. It’s an excellent reference book for community spaces. It’s a trustworthy resource for consumers who just want answers to common drinking water questions.

This newest iteration includes for the first time information on microplastics and PFAS. The book is formatted as an FAQ, with 250 questions and answers.

“Working in the environmental field, I find this book makes some rather difficult issues understandable,” wrote a reviewer of a past edition.

Answers to every question rely on plain language to explore otherwise technical concepts about the drinking water system and services.

“This sixth edition builds on the work of the last five editions and seeks to answer questions about new and emerging contaminants and concerns while keeping the basic information that has been vetted through the years,” writes author Nancy McTigue in the preface.

Clear communication and transparency are pillars of public trust, and trust is paramount to the work the water community does to source, treat, and provide drinking water. It is, in part, why American Water Works Association has been producing this book since 1992.

“AWWA recognizes the significance of public involvement and customer communication in the water sector and our policy stance underscores the need for open, honest, and proactive dialogue with the communities we serve,” writes Geoffrey Shideler, senior manager of product acquisition and development, in the book’s foreword. “This approach not only builds trust and cooperation; it also enhances the credibility and reputation of water utilities.”

Plain Talk is available for purchase in the AWWA Store. For bulk sales, contact distribution@awwa.org.