HomeMy WebLinkAbout02. Receive the 2021 WEF Public Communication and Outreach Program Award Page 1 of 2
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CENTRALSAN
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CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT
October 21, 2021
TO: HONORABLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM: EMILY BARNETT, COMMUNCATIONS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: PHILIP LEIBER, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER
SUBJECT: RECEIVE THE 2021 WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION (WEF) PUBLIC
COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM AWARD FOR CENTRAL
SAN'S PIPE PROTECTORS STUDENT EDUCATION PROGRAM
The WEF Education Awards recognize WEF members for significant accomplishments in promoting
awareness and understanding of water environment issues through the development and execution of
academic research, curricula and public education programs. "Education is key to advancing the
understanding and protection of the water environment," said Jackie Jarrell, WEF Past President. "The
Water Environment Federation is extremely proud to honor these individuals and organizations for their
work to educate and inform the general public about one of the world's most valuable resources."
For many years now, Central San has noticed the void in wastewater education for kindergarten, first, and
second grade students. There is a real shortage of high-quality science educational programming for this
age group, not only for wastewater education, but for science and environmental learning as a whole. As
more Central San area-based schools fully transition to the Next Generation Science Standards, the need
for high-quality learning activities for all age groups becomes paramount. Central San's Pipe Protectors
Program was designed to fill this void.
When Central San set out to revamp its education programs, it was determined the best way to start was
with the youngest students. Central San's broader educational goals are to build a coherent learning
pipeline for all K-12 students in our service area. Central San wants every student to become wastewater
literate: to understand, year after year, at increasing levels of developmental appropriateness, what
wastewater is, where it comes from, where it goes, and everything that can happen to it along the way. The
District believes that if we have a connected and engaged student community, those students will become
the next generation of highly knowledgeable customers, and some, potentially, employees. The Pipe
Protectors Program is helping to develop the customers of our future by helping them connect their
behavior to the essential service we provide.
The Pipe Protectors Program has had a tremendous impact on the youngest segment of our local student
community. We are not alone in this assessment. Over the past two years, the program has been
recognized with several awards from a variety of state and national education, communications, and
October 21, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 8 of 382
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wastewater organizations, including this most recent WE F award. For Central San, this demonstrates just
how valuable the work of educating every member of our community. The Pipe Protectors Program does
all of this in a way that is accessible to all of our students and empowers them to take action to help us
protect public health and the environment. For the reasons provided, Central San is honored to receive the
2021 WEF Communication & Outreach Program Award.
Strategic Plan re-In
GOAL ONE: Customer and Community
Strategy 1—Deliver high-quality customer service, Strategy 2—Maintain a positive reputation
GOAL SEVEN:Agility andAdaptability
Strategy 1—Maintain a safe working environment for employees and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic
October 21, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 9 of 382