To help utilities comply with the new Lead and Copper Rule, WaterPIO and WaterComm.Co have launched a new platform for communications compliance called LeadCopperRule.com.
The challenges created by the LCRR are not only tied to compliance, but also to the variety of sensitive communication efforts that water providers must conduct to assure the public that their drinking water is safe. If their communication efforts fail, the utilities risk losing their reputations.
The new LCR requirements will overwhelm the thousands of water utilities that are ill-prepared to take on the communication efforts that will be necessary, either due to a lack of staff or a lack of expertise in handling multi-stage public information campaigns.
To help utilities of all sizes nationwide, leading water industry-focused public relations firms WaterPIO and WaterComm.Co have launched a new platform for Lead and Copper Rule communications compliance called LeadCopperRule.com.
Findings under the new Lead and Copper Rule will shake public confidence in the nation's drinking water. LeadCopperRule.com aims to supply water providers with everything they need to communicate successfully under the new LCR. Its turnkey packages provide internal and external communication plans and products ready to help utilities preserve public trust in its water.
In addition to 24/7 crisis communication services, LeadCopperRule.com's plans, products and consulting expertise will enable water providers to:
• Properly explain the LCR's new testing processes to ensure customers correctly take their water samples;
• Proactively inform the press, social media, elected officials and community leaders about lead service line inventory efforts, protecting utilities from angry pushback at the very start of what could be a three-year-long process;
• Respectfully communicate lead testing in schools and childcare facilities so that parents feel fully engaged and informed from the very start; and
• Instantly release perspective-providing emergency notification materials when a utility must alert its customers to a systemwide exceedance in just 24 hours.
"As water-related communication mandates continue to roll out over the next several years, it will be imperative for utilities and local governments to communicate proactively about lead to avoid creating fear," says Eboni Green of LeadCopperRule.Com. "Our platform provides ready-to-use solutions for water providers of all sizes so they can communicate with confidence under the new LCR."
"For decades, water providers didn't communicate about their lead and copper efforts because they wanted to avoid talking about such a sensitive subject. Now, they don't have a choice," says Mike McGill, also of LeadCopperRule.com. "Utilities must change their mindsets and become proactive about their lead communications, even if that thought fills them with fear. This is where we come in; LeadCopperRule.com puts water providers in a position to succeed for years to come."
