New guide explains ABCs of water reuse to build public acceptance
June 26, 2025
AWWA Articles
New guide explains ABCs of water reuse to build public acceptance
Gaining a community’s trust in water recycling and reuse often involves overcoming public misconceptions and skepticism. Carollo Engineers recently released an illustrated guide to help water systems provide clear, helpful information about recycled water concepts.
The ABCs of Water Reuse was developed by the California-based water engineering and consulting firm to address the need for utilities, as well as elected officials and city officers, to communicate effectively about water reuse as a sustainable supply solution.
“One of our senior leaders working on a water recycling project in Southern California found that the technical terminology created unnecessary barriers,” said Diana Leonard, vice president and communications director at Carollo, who led the book’s development. “The guide was created for that project, and the initial response was so positive that we decided to create a universal version that could be helpful across the country and even internationally.”
The booklet describes 26 water reuse engineering concepts using easy-to-understand language and engaging illustrations organized in an A-to-Z format. Each section condenses a concept such as an aquifer or a membrane into a relatable idea through storytelling, analogies and metaphors.
For example, the process of recycling water by sending it back through the purifying process as raw source water is described as “taking the scenic route.”
Designed to be both an educational tool and a conversation starter at public events, The ABCs of Water Reuse can be used for public meetings, facility tours, school programs, board meetings and other applications.
“Water reuse is at an interesting point, where the technology has matured significantly but public understanding hasn’t kept pace,” Leonard said. “More utilities are evaluating infrastructure investment and experiencing more extreme weather events, so they are looking for more resilient water resources. This felt like the right time to bridge the gap between advancing technology and the public appetite for it.”
Carollo’s engineering, communications and visual design experts worked together to develop the guide, and its social media and public relations teams helped launch the product in late May. It is available in print and digital formats and can be ordered through print-on-demand services or downloaded for free online.
“Our end goal is to help support and advance public understanding, acceptance and adoption of water recycling and reuse,” Leonard said. “We created this ready-made resource to give back to the industry, not to make a profit. We want to help promote how much the technology has advanced and support greater exploration for what is possible to supplement available water resources.”
She added that water recycling and reuse should “absolutely” be integrated into the “One Water” solutions of the future. “Populations will continue to grow, and communities will continue to need to be resilient by using every valuable drop of water over and over again,” she said.
For more information or to order copies of The ABCs of Water Reuse, visit Carollo’s website or contact media@carollo.com.
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