Water Quality - Lead Reduction
Communications Plan
Communications Objective
To educate and inform local residents and businesses about the health risks posed by lead in water. The communications related to this issue should emphasize testing procedures in place to safeguard against contamination and reassure the public that Lawrence’s water supply is virtually free of lead in the delivery systems (service delivery lines), however, depending on materials used, the plumbing in homes/businesses can contribute to the presence of lead.
Audience
Lawrence residents and businesses
Website location
Direct URL will be lawrenceks.org/utilities/lead. Full materials will be placed at lawrenceks.org/utilities/quality_control (and placed under ‘features’ navigation on home page and Utility department navigation. The Utility Department uses the email utilities@lawrenceks.org as a public email point of contact for residents to contact staff.
Messages
- Lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful to human health.
- People can be exposed to lead, specifically through drinking water, but the city takes efforts to mitigate any lead in the public water supply.
- The public water supply is safe, however, depending on individual home and/or business plumbing, lead can be found in the water supply if service pipes, soldering, valves or fittings are made of lead.
- Lawrence follows/complies with all regulatory levels set for lead, including the Safe Drinking Water Act.
- What has the City of Lawrence done to mitigate and reduce lead in the public water supply?
o Flint, Michigan is currently in a crisis state due to water in lead. How is Lawrence’s treatment different from the situation in Flint and what steps Lawrence has taken to ensure a quality water supply?
- Provide ways for consumers to test for lead in home/business water supply and ways to limit exposure.
Communication Tools
- City website – lawrenceks.org/utilities/lead
o FAQs
o Graphics and brochure available
- Tri-fold flyer distributed through Utility staff contact with residents/businesses through the EcoSmart/EcoFlow program
- E-mail distribution (release)
- Channel 25
- City social media (Facebook, Twitter)
- City Newsletter (The Flame)
- Local media promotion (LJW, KLWN and Ch 6)
- Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods e-mail lists and newsletters
- City Manager’s Report on City Commission Agenda
Timeline
|
Communication Tool |
Timeline |
Responsible for Content |
Done? |
|
May Flame |
April 29 - May 22 |
City Comm. - MG |
X |
|
Social Media Plan |
April 29 – May 15 |
City Comm – NC |
X |
|
Press Release/Email Communication |
April 28 |
City Comm/Utility Staff |
X |
|
City web page update done |
April 15 |
City Comm – KP |
X |
|
City Homepage Slider |
April 29 – May 15 |
City Comm – KP |
|
|
Flyer Distribution |
May to ongoing |
Utilities Staff |
|
|
LAN Distribution (email/neighborhood newsletters) |
April 29 |
City Comm – MG |
|
|
City Manager Report/Agenda Item |
April 26 |
City Comm – MG |
X |
|
Pitch story to local media |
April 28 |
City Comm – MG and Utility Staff |
|
|
Channel 25 update slides |
May 2 |
City Comm – KH |
|
Social Media Plan
|
Message |
Date |
Done? |
|
We take water quality very seriously & take proactive measures to ensure your water is safe. lawrenceks.org/utilities/lead |
April 27 |
|
|
The water we provide to homes & businesses is essentially lead-free in the distribution system prior to entering your individual household plumbing. But there are ways lead can enter your drinking water. Find out more. lawrenceks.org/utilities/lead |
April 29 |
|
|
Lead can be a significant health risk. How do you find out your risk to exposure? lawrenceks.org/utilities/lead |
May 3 |
|
|
Have questions about water quality? Contact the Lawrence Utilities Department at (785) 832-7800 or visit lawrenceks.org/utilities/lead |
May 7 |
|
|
The city delivers water to 30,000 #Lawrence homes through 500 miles of pipes. Find out more. lawrenceks.org/utilities/lead |
May 10 |
|
|
How can lead get into your water? Household plumbing fixtures can be a source. More: lawrenceks.org/utilities/lead |
May 13 |
|
|
Simple steps to take to reduce lead in drinking water: drain water heater annually. More: lawrenceks.org/utilities/lead |
May 10 |
|
|
Simple steps to take to reduce lead in drinking water: run cold water for two minutes. More: lawrenceks.org/utilities/lead |
May 12 |
|
|
Galvanized pipes, lead fittings and lead service pipes can |
May 16 |
|
|
#Lawrence Utilities has taken several steps since the 1980s to reduce lead in the drinking water system. lawrenceks.org/utilities/lead |
May 18 |
|
Graphics (all files located under City Communications – Campaigns folder)
