WATER’S WORTH IT™ is a trend that’s sweeping the nation. Two U.S. cities have embraced this public awareness campaign by making WATER’S WORTH IT Month proclamations.
New Orleans
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the New Orleans City Council proclaimed October as WATER’S WORTH IT Month, presenting these proclamations to the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) during WEFTEC® 2012. On Sept. 29, city officials and WEF leaders gathered at the annual WEFTEC service project, Bogging in the Big Easy, for a presentation ceremony.
From left, WEF President Matt Bond, WEF Students and Young Professionals Committee Vice Chair Haley Falconer, Community Liaison from NOLA City Councilmember Susan G. Guidry’s office Sherri Wilder and New Orleans Office of Coastal and Environmental Affairs program coordinator Ronald Harper gather at the WEFTEC service project, Bogging in the Big Easy. Photo courtesy of Oscar Einzig Photography.
“[There is a] delicate relationship, here in New Orleans, between our built environment and our natural environment; and how we use the water is critical to how we go forth as a city,” said Ron Harper of the New Orleans Office of Coastal and Environmental Affairs.
WEF Executive Director Jeff Eger commented on how New Orleans honored WEF by declaring October WATER’S WORTH IT month. “That is incredibly exciting; it helps us to continue to promote the great work of water professionals,” Eger said.
Norman, Okla.
Earlier this year, the City of Norman, Okla., proclaimed July WATER’S WORTH IT month. This proclamationwas issued to increase community awareness of water as a precious natural resource, declare how the things most valued by people are closely connected with water, and promote protection of water through increasing educational efforts, the proclamation says. It encourages citizens and civic organizations “to become knowledgeable and acquaint themselves with the problems involved in maintaining safe water.”
A billboard shows New Orlean's commitment to WATER'S WORTH IT month in October. WEF photo/Jennifer Fulcher.
Nationwide appeal
The national, broad-based campaign helps answer questions about how our actions, attitudes, and valuable assets are closely connected with water. These proclamations will help educate residents on the local level about water and provide tips and tools to encourage personal responsibility for the resource.
WEF encourages any community to join a nationwide, WATER’S WORTH IT month movement and hopes to issue an official call to action in the near future. For more information, contact Lori Harrison, WEF director of Public Information at lharrison@wef.org or WatersWorthIt@wef.org.
— Jennifer Fulcher, WEF Highlights
November 5, 2012
Featured