“We use CSU Extension as a resource and a tool for the community to lean on,” said Spencer Bernard, Water Efficiency Specialist for Northern Water. “They are experts we can share with people who need extra help with things like tree diseases, turf management, pasture management and more.”
Bernard said that Northern Water also provides resources to CSU Extension to help demonstrate the different sustainable landscape options that are available. As the outreach arm of the University, they also work closely with HOAs and larger commercial and municipal properties to identify methods of saving water and improving irrigation based on their extensive sustainability and horticulture-focused research.
CSU Extension’s Sustainable Landscape Specialist Sheila Prentice said, “Northern Water stands out from a lot of other local water providers with the resources they offer the public such as their demonstration gardens and downloadable Sustainable Landscape Templates. We work hand-in-hand toward the same goal of water conservation.”
Alongside conservation messaging, the Water Quality team provides outreach and education about the various environmental projects and programs. Understanding water quality in our lakes, reservoirs and rivers is critically important, and experts from the Water Quality team help share this valuable information through presentations, reports and community events. Degraded water quality can affect aquatic habitat and make it unfit to support healthy fish populations. Monitoring the quality of source water supplies is essential to ensure that our drinking water is safe to use.
“Northern Water’s water quality education and outreach efforts are vital because they help our kids and communities alike understand the direct connection between clean water and a healthy future,” said Senior Water Quality Specialist Tim Lynch. “By teaching how our actions impact water quality and water supply, we’re empowering the next generation to be thoughtful stewards of our most essential resource - ensuring that clean, reliable water remains a cornerstone of life, economy and environment across Northern Colorado.”
Education is also important to outline Northern Water’s environmental commitments through its various projects, as well as programs that educate the public about forest health, source water, watershed recovery and restoration, and more.
The Communications Department embarks on various outreach efforts that share Northern Water’s story, while also providing information about key projects and programs. Some of these efforts are done through community and business presentations, while others take place at the bi-annual Symposium events, telling stories through video productions, tours of our water projects and setting up booths at community events.
"Northern Water is involved in countless programs and projects that are so impactful to Northeastern Colorado and being able to share those stories and educate our communities is very important," said Northern Water Communication Specialist Rachel Stevens. "We often take water for granted and simply turn on our faucet and expect water to flow out. We don’t realize just how valuable it is. But through education and outreach, we can continue to keep our communities informed and invested in the value of water."