Toolkit for Water Professionals Appreciation Week Oct. 5-13 Sep 5, 2024 Member Tools California’s Water Professionals Appreciation Week will kick off Oct. 5, celebrating the important role of water industry professionals and local public water agencies in ensuring safe and reliable water, wastewater and recycled water operations across California. Throughout the week, urban and agricultural water agencies are encouraged to leverage their communication channels to educate media, customers, local elected leaders and other key audiences about the essential role that water professionals play in providing safe and reliable water services. Water Professionals Appreciation Week also serves as a prime opportunity for water agencies to spotlight careers in the water industry, showcasing the diverse roles and career paths available. ACWA encourages member agencies to participate in Water Professionals Appreciation Week by engaging in the suggested activities below. The updated ACWA toolkit provides several resources, including documents and graphics, to support these efforts. Video files will need to be downloaded separately. Suggested Local Activities Ask your Board of Directors and cities and counties in your service area to pass resolutions/proclamations in support of your agency and Water Professionals Appreciation Week. A sample resolution/proclamation is available. Highlight your employees and water industry careers on social media, bill inserts, newsletters and other communications channels. A sample bill insert that can be customized with your logo is available. Let your local media know you are participating in Water Professionals Appreciation Week and offer to arrange interviews with employees in various fields that highlight the skill and dedication required to provide reliable water service. Talking points and a sample blog post are available. Consider organizing a tour of facilities, a presentation about the agency or town hall-style meeting with leadership. These events could be either virtual or in-person. Work with local high schools, colleges and universities to promote careers or internships at your district. Start a mentor program for young professionals in your agency. Social Media Content When sharing Water Professionals Appreciation Week content on your agency’s social media platforms please use the following related hashtags: #CAWaterWeek, #EssentialWorkers, #ThankWaterPros and #WeAreCAWater. Sample social media content has been created and is available in two easily-downloadable zip files: WPAW 2024 zip and video file zip. Share the Water Professionals Appreciation Week sample posts in combination with the WPAW logo or several provided graphics, some of which can be customized with your logo. Please note that the WPAW logo was updated last year. While the changes are subtle, please make sure to use the new version. Customize a Power Point video to enumerate and underscore the vital work your employees carry out. Include your agency’s logo. Instructions for customizing the video are available. Post a short video of your employees on the job to highlight the different careers at your district. Background Information Water Professionals Appreciation Week was established by Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 80, approved by the Legislature in 2017. The resolution, authored by Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), was sponsored by an ACWA-led coalition that included WateReuse California, California Municipal Utilities Association, California Association of Sanitation Agencies and California Water Association. The California Water Environment Association also was a partner in the effort. Under SCR 80, Water Professionals Appreciation Week begins on the first Saturday of October and ends on the Sunday of the following weekend each year. Questions For questions about Water Professionals Appreciation Week, please contact ACWA Communications Specialist Ellen Martin at (916) 441-4545. For help customizing toolkit items with your agency logo, contact Katherine Causland at (916) 441-4545.
