You know the value of water. Every day you’re involved in maintaining the infrastructure that brings safe drinking water to customers’ taps. You’re well aware of the time and expense that requires.

But that appreciation for water doesn’t necessarily automatically transfer to a utility’s users. They might be wasteful with their water use, yet still get frustrated when their water bill increases. It’s often said in this industry, but bears repeating: Public education is important.

One of those opportunities to educate the public is coming up this week. Thursday, Oct. 12, marks the annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a national day of education and advocacy promoted by the Value of Water Campaign that was first held in 2015. The organization has a list of five ways your utility can participate in the day if you haven’t made any plans yet.

Here is a sampling of some of the ways water agencies and organizations are marking the occasion:

• The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, in collaboration with local partners, is holding a grand opening of its Green Infrastructure Center of Excellence, inviting the public to visit the space and learn about green infrastructure and the free services the center will offer. 
• The cities of Jersey City and Hoboken in New Jersey are partnering with local organizations, including New Jersey Future and New Jersey Water Works, to host a number of events throughout the day including a waterfront cleanup in Hoboken, catch basin cleanup and painting, green infrastructure tours, and an Imagine a Day Without Beer event with the New Jersey Craft Brewers Association.
• A number of utilities and city departments, including Illinois American Water; Pawtucket Water Supply Board in Rhode Island; the city of Arlington, Texas; Soquel Creek Water District; Suez South Jersey; and Tucson Water, are partnering with libraries and school districts to host art contests and essay contests about the value of water. 
• Hampton Roads Sanitation District in Virginia is hosting an open house at its SWIFT Research Center where there is innovative technology for water purification.
• Central Arkansas Water and Beaver Water District in Arkansas are sponsoring water-themed trivia nights at local breweries in their area.
• AlexRenew, KC Water, and Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority will be filming short video clips asking local businesses and community partners to imagine a day without water.
• Tucson Water is distributing signs and stickers for coffee sleeves and cups to local coffee shops. Arkansas Water Environment Association is distributing 5,000 window clings around the state. Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority in South Carolina is distributing 5,000 coasters to bars and restaurants.

For more information about Imagine a Day Without Water and how to get involved, visit imagineadaywithoutwater.org.