AWWA ACE58223

Water is at the top of everyone's mind today and integrated master water plans are back in vogue as cost-effective ways to accommodate increasing demand and decreasing supplies. This paper discusses the need for integration between Engineering, Public Communications and Government Relations in order to successfully implement high-profile, multi-project integrated water plans. This paper presents a case study of an integrated water supply program with diverse sources. Using the model successfully implemented in Tampa Bay, Florida, it describes the steps needed in developing an integrated plan using input from all stakeholders; and, how engineering, government relations and public communications professionals can work together to assure success. It addresses challenges faced by all three disciplines along the way, and how they were (and can be) successfully handled. Includes figure.