The document summarizes a project that held workshops across England to gather public views on priorities for managing the water environment. Over seven workshops and an online survey, participants weighed different water management challenges and provided feedback. Key recommendations from the project included improving communication and outreach on water issues, developing household-level educational materials, and promoting industry best practices.

1. Public dialogue on significant
water management issues
A Sciencewise project
Cath Beaver
Senior Community & Stakeholder Relations Adviser
Environment Agency
5 June 2014

2. Why did this project come about?
To ensure public
views are fed into
final plans and
priorities for
managing the water
environment

3. What we did...
Seven workshops across England
One reconvened national workshop
Online survey (quantitative research)

4. How we ran the workshops
Brief intro presentation and video
Facilitated small group discussions
Stimulus material to read
Sticky dots to weight the challenges
Evaluation forms
Incentive given out

5. Weighting of challenges in different
locations

6. Project recommendations
More communication and promotion
A householder approach – e.g. an information
guide
Chemicals labelling scheme for household
products
Initiate and support community projects
Work with water industry to promote best practice

7. I came here today because of
the money, but it’s flown by, it’s
been fascinating. I’m thinking
totally differently now!’
It felt very personal that
the facilitators took the
time to refer to us by
nameI think it has been an eye-
opener – I wondered how we’d
talk about water for 6 hours but
we have.
The pace was good and there was not point where I felt
bored or under stimulated
Evaluation