UCANE Launching #InvestInWaterMA Campaign to Support Water/Sewer Infrastructure Funding

Campaign to stress billions of dollars in unmet needs—“Don’t let out of sight mean out of mind” for critical underground water assets!

With state and federal officials now determining where to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure funds, this month UCANE will be launching a new public relations and social media campaign with a simple but powerful message: Don’t forget about our water and sewer infrastructure.

Called #InvestInWaterMA, which will also be the social media hashtag, the campaign is drawing support from a growing coalition of business, environmental, labor, and civic groups. Through news releases, social media posts, op-eds, speaking tours, local events, and potential broadcast appearances, UCANE will use #InvestInWaterMA to highlight: • the critical importance that safe, reliable drinking water and sewer infrastructure play in protecting Massachusetts residents’ health • how well-maintained water infrastructure preserves the Commonwealth’s rivers, lakes, harbors, and other natural resources, and eliminates and mitigates flooding and combined-sewer overflows • the role water infrastructure plays in promoting jobs and economic development, with every $1 invested generating up to $14 in new tax revenues (Source: UMass Collins Center report)

UCANE President Marcella Albanese, President of Albanese Brothers Inc., Dracut, MA said: “Most of our infrastructure is immediately visible and we can see when it is deteriorating. Our campaign is all about reminding people it’s just as important to assure that our underground water and sewer infrastructure is bringing us clean, safe water supplies, stopping floods, and protecting our environment.’’

UCANE Executive Director Jeff Mahoney added: “One of the key slogans for our campaign is ‘Don’t let out of sight mean out of mind.’ Our campaign is about keeping a constant drumbeat going and emphasizing to our federal, state, and local officials how important it is to make investing in water infrastructure a top priority.”

The campaign will build on public relations and media-outreach efforts that UCANE has been ramping up this year. Later this month, UCANE will be announcing a new page on our website where people and organizations from throughout Massachusetts can register to become supporters of the #InvestInWaterMA campaign and receive updates and action alerts.

We look forward to your support to help us keep the #InvestInWaterMA message front and center as infrastructure investment decisions are being made. n