“Water Infrastructure 101: What You Need to Know Below and Beyond Library Discussions,” a program created by Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash (WRC), has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The award honors innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
NACo recognized the “Water Infrastructure 101: What You Need to Know Below and Beyond Library Discussions” in the category of Libraries because of the unique partnership formed by WRC and local county libraries to educate the public about water infrastructure and environmental protection efforts in Oakland County. The program helps to empower and inform residents, local leaders and communities on a range issues, including drinking water quality, sewer systems, stormwater, septic systems, environmental justice, flooding, green stormwater infrastructure, water affordability, lead and copper regulations, lake maintenance, invasive species, and other policy issues.
“Educating the public is vitally important and I thank all our local libraries for their great partnership. Most people understand the public health and environmental impacts of what we do but don’t know how our systems work. By showing them what we do, and the long-term infrastructure needs we have, people will support WRC’s work protecting our resources for generations to come.” said Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash.
NACo President Mary Ann Borgeson said, “We are seeing firsthand now more than ever that counties work tirelessly to support our residents. This year’s Achievement Award-winning programs showcase how counties build healthy, safe and vibrant communities across America
“Our natural resources are of keen interest and vitally important to our communities and our residents as they need to understand the critical issues facing an aging water system,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “I send my congratulations to Commissioner Jim Nash and the entire Water Resources team for their fine work on receiving an NACo award and their efforts to keep our residents informed and aware.”
Library partners from across Oakland County expressed the benefits of the program below:
“Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash brought a new level of understanding to residents in his presentation Water Infrastructure 101 at the Addison Township Library. Water is something most people take for granted, until it’s not there. Our community is very concerned about local injection of drilling as it applies to our rural well water supply. Commissioner Nash took time to answer questions, calm concerns, present visual data and provided useful follow-up direction for our whole community,” said Addison Township Library Director Jaema Berman.
“Getting and sharing reliable information is one of our goals as a public library. That Oakland County Water Resources Office Jim Nash (WRC) brought his program to the library community was a win for both the public and our library. It’s essential that people have a concrete understanding about our water and the complex issues that face our water systems,” said Berkley Library Director Matt Church.
“The discussion series is an example of how partnerships between government agencies can create a meaningful and effective community dialogue that benefits everyone,” said Bloomfield Township Public Library Assistant Director Tera Moon.
“As a library, we’re always eager to provide patrons an opportunity to connect with, and learn more about, their communities & that absolutely includes any environmental topics or concerns. That’s why we partnered with the Oakland County Water Resources Office for this intuitive and informative program. Jim Nash effectively elucidates the lesser-known details about how clean drinking water is delivered to our faucets, along with revealing analysis of the current condition of our county’s pipes and what role our patrons can play in protecting drinking water,” said Ferndale Area District Library Adult Services Librarian Michelle Williamson.
“The WRC and Hazel Park Memorial District Library Discussion program was very informative and fun. Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash’s three visits were well received as he explained very difficult ideas in a manner that our patrons could understand. Our patrons requested him for the library’s book club, and I requested him for two days to discuss water infrastructure issues. Requesting a speaker twice in one month is very rare for me,” said Hazel Park Library Adult/Teen Services Director Randy Ernst-Meyer.
“The Holly Township Library was pleased to host the What You Need to Know About Your Drinking Water presentation by Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash. Many of our patrons and community residents appreciated the excellent skill exhibited when Commissioner Nash expressed ideas and opinions with clarity. The technical and complex information was presented in a very clear and precise way so that community residents could easily understand. The program allowed questions and issues raised by the audience to be answered directly by Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash. We would welcome the opportunity for him to present and collaborate with the Holly Township Library anytime,” said Holly Library Adult/Teen Services Manager Tina M. Russette.
“The Northville District Library was so pleased to host this event in its community. It gave resident the opportunity to learn just how important the local water system is to their daily lives. The event generated an insightful and energetic conversation between residents and local and regional stakeholders about the need to maintain its critical infrastructures. Libraries are uniquely positioned as the living rooms of their communities that can and are promoting these kinds of exchanges throughout the United States,” said Northville District Library Director Laura Mancini.
“It was a pleasure for the Novi Public Library to have the Oakland County Water Resources come to share valuable resources with our guests. The program was informative and engaging. It helped to keep our community educated on the services that WRC provides,” said Novi Public Library Programming Coordinator Gail Anderson.
“The Pontiac Public Library was honored to host the Water Resource Commissioner’s Office at the library for our annual Summer Reading Kick-off and for information sessions where patrons could access information about the work of the WRC. We are happy to partner with WRC to bring important information to the residents of our city. We look forward to future partnerships and opportunities for the WRC to reach out to the community through the library,” said Pontiac Public Library Director Devan Brie S. Green, MLIS.
“The Rochester Hills Public Library has always been a champion for the health and safety of our community,” said library director Juliane Morian. “Providing resources and informational programming, such as Water Infrastructure 101, is part of our library’s mission.”
“We at Royal Oak Public Library have been so grateful to have the opportunity to have Oakland County present their Water Infrastructure 101 program to our patrons. This unique discussion gives insight into a topic that most of the public may not know very much about, but that impacts all of our lives on a daily basis. Thank you for creating this presentation for library audiences as it is a true service for the community,” said Royal Oak Library Director Emily Dumas.
“It was great to know that we can make an impact in our corner of the world and that the WRC and libraries are being recognized with this award. Southfield residents have learned so much from Commissioner Nash’s talks which have helped us implement green infrastructure ideas into our own properties,” said Barbara Klimkowski, Southfield Public Library Assistant for Community Outreach.
Additional library partners consist of Brandon Township Library, Highland Township Public Library, Oxford Public Library and West Bloomfield Public Library. The collaboration with Oakland County libraries began in 2018 and currently continues.
Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement, libraries and many more.
Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received.
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