Commentary: How to Handle the Revised Lead and Copper Rule’s Reputation-Threatening Public Communication Challenges

By Mike McGill

On my first day in the Water World in 2007, I was assigned a bit of an unenviable task.  Due in large part to several straight years without rate increases, my utility was heading into the heart of winter knowing its water mains were going to pop like popcorn. 

They did, to the tune of more than two thousand breaks. My first few months were spent wrestling with my former news colleagues at all hours of the day and night. I became so ubiquitous several stations congratulated me when I ran off to get married, although they joked they’d see me when I got back. They were right.