August 12, 2024 By Carol Britton Meyer
Plans are in the works to enhance Weir River Water System’s communications to customers.
The Improved WRWS Communications Plan was developed in response to a large number of complaints about how Veolia — the operator of the Weir River Water System, which serves Hingham, Hull, and part of Cohasset — handled notifying customers of the recent widespread water discoloration throughout the system and subsequent updates.
The discoloration that began on June 19 continued for several days in all three communities.
Veolia presented the plan to the Hingham Select Board — acting as water commissioners — during Tuesday’s board of water commissioners meeting.
Communications improvements since June 19 include updating stakeholder contacts, media outreach — including regional television and online media networks and the Hingham and Cohasset Anchors and The Hull Times — collaboration with the WRWS Citizen Advisory Board and community organizations, and posts on social media.
Stephen Girardi represents Cohasset on the board, and Sam Mullen, Steven Weiss, and Charles Culpin represent Hingham. the CAB’s role is to assist ratepayers and to advise and inform the water superintendent and the Hingham Select Board of concerns or issues raised by water system customers.
To further enhance communications, Veolia is developing a marketing plan to highlight WRWS communication efforts — from news, advertising, and bill inserts to print/online marketing and postcard mailings featuring QR codes.
In addition, Veolia has met with the CAB to develop connections with community organizations that require direct outreach, including seniors, the disabled, medical facilities, schools, and daycare centers.
The WRWS emergency response plan has also been updated — including municipal contacts.
Veolia continues to encourage Hingham, Cohasset, and Hull customers to sign up for WRWS alerts and recently launched a Facebook page as a way to communicate regular and emergency notices systemwide.
“We’ll use every tool we have to spread the word,” said Christopher Halleron, manager of communications and community relations for Veolia. “It will take the combined effort of all of us [to be successful].”
This is a “work in progress, and we’ll see what the feedback is [in response to these efforts],” said Veolia Regional Vice President South Coast Region John Oatley.