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Recognition

Final Thoughts

We listen to the needs of our diverse community and to our customers.

Community Relations

This department has several functions:

• Educating and informing ratepayers about SAWS community initiatives.
  
• Voicing the concerns of community ratepayers to SAWS management.
  
• Working closely with local and regional elected officials on water-related issues.
  
• Building and developing relationships with community leaders, professional associations, civic groups, and homeowner groups.
  
• Being proactive in the community in providing information, education and support.
  
• Directing all communications during SAWS construction projects. This is a proactive, coordinated effort between SAWS management, all involved contractors and the affected residents and neighbors. Sometimes this includes voicing specific resident concerns to the contractors in pre-construction meetings and agreements.

Community Initiatives

Typical issues that Community Relations handle include infrastructure needs, water resource initiatives, rate information and customer service concerns (i.e. water shut–offs, high bills).

This past year our aging infrastructure has clearly been the most pressing concern with Community Relations. (See “Infrastructure"). More than 120 presentations were made to community organizations discussing the various options for addressing this concern.

Community Initiatives

In addition to infrastructure issues, SAWS Community Relations has made significant strides in other initiatives, such as:

• Neighborhood Efforts – We worked closely with residents of Espada Road, an older section of town still using private septic systems. Right-of-way agreements had to be explained and processed with each homeowner before SAWS could begin installing the sewer system infrastructure.
  
  The Medio Creek Communications Tower is another example. We obtained a variance from the city to install this critical security tower. The Community Relations team met with the neighbors in this area, informing them of this critical project.The Neighborhood Cleanup project also illustrates how we are proactive in the community. We routinely provide bottled water, educational materials, and information on our Affordability Programs in areas that have been neglected. We’re also involved in fielding any water-related complaints or concerns for these affected residents.
  
  
• Affordability Programs – Through the managers and directors of some of the city’s nutrition centers, we are able to distribute information (in English and Spanish) on our Affordability Programs, including Plumbers to People, Project Agua and the Water Meter Discount. Additionally we work with seniors in waiving late fees on delinquent payments. SAWS also sponsored a Thanksgiving luncheon for seniors last fall, and provided educational material and bottled water.
  
  
• Environmental Concerns – The ASR Project, the second largest of its kind in the country, will affect hundreds of landowners and ratepayers. Our team is instrumental in establishing the neighborhood meetings and follow-up correspondence regarding this significant project. (See "Major Projects").
  

Next: Recognition