Today, we finish Tap Talk Season 6 with the second part of our conversation with Mike McGill of WaterPIO! Jennifer, Steve, and Mike discuss the importance of reliable and updated websites for water utilities, the similarities and differences in communicating about lead versus PFAS contamination, how small utilities can best communicate on these subjects, and more. We hope you’ve enjoyed Season 6, and we’ll see you back for Season 7 soon!
Topics Discussed
- Meet Mike McGill | LinkedIn
- Mike’s Water Hero: Jeaniece Slater, General Manager of West Morgan East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority in Decatur, Alabama
- The importance of maintaining and updating water utility websites
- How to address disinformation and other public concerns
- The intricacies of the fluoride controversy
- Handling reputational damage and crisis management
- Dealing with the various issues pertaining to lead service lines and lead communication
- Communication challenges for small systems
- The necessity of having multiple communications plans
- Connect with WaterPIO
“When we talk about communications, I always say that utilities need to be reliable, available, and transparent with their information. Being reliable is whenever I want to get information, I can go to a website and find it.”Mike McGill
Go Further
You’re invited to discuss the episode in our LinkedIn Group. If you decide to share on Twitter, please use the hashtag #TapTalkPodcast. And, of course, make sure to subscribe in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.
About the Guest
Mike McGill is the founder and president of WaterPIO, a communications strategy firm dedicated to the water and wastewater industry. The firm, launched in 2017, provides a range of communications services to utilities and local government operations that will strengthen relationships with customers and residents. Mike began his career in journalism, and spent time as a producer at CNN before shifting into communications and public relations in 2002. He served as media relations director for General Colin Powell’s America’s Promise Alliance non-profit for two years, and then entered the water sector with positions at WSSC Water, Loudoun Water, and the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority.
Mike holds BA degrees in broadcast journalism and political science from Syracuse University.