1. Internship Abstract
Title: Develop Middlesex County Water Resources Association Annual Report Poster
Name: Yue Sun
Preceptors: Mirah Becker, PP, Director ofComprehensive Planning
Agency: Middlesex County Office ofPlanning
Purpose: To develop public outreach material for the Middlesex County Water Resources Association
Significance: Public information and outreach is a vital component of a successfulcounty initiative.
Public education outreach gaps were identified. A report was written for the Water Resources Association
(WRA) that highlighted its accomplishments, including maps and concise descriptions of projects in a
poster form to inform the public of this important resource. The WRA provides critical input into the
future sewer lines for proposed development projects and oversees the development of a plan that ensured
there is enough capacity at our treatment plants. However,none of this good work has been turned into
public outreach materials, so that county residents can learn about this productive and important voice.
This is the first time Middlesex County has a poster that shows the public what the WRA has done in the
past 12 months to improve water quality. This will be mailed out to the resident of Middlesex County and
put on the County website and serve as a model for the materials that are created in the future.
Method/Approach: A creative method for sharing the report was conceived. The process of creating the
report is separated into two parts. The first part was creating a document that based on research on
wastewater treatment,collecting project related photographs, summarizing and analyzing the previous
meeting minutes. This document paints a picture of the accomplishments of this organization over a 12-
month period. The second part was to put the document that was created onto an 11 by 17 size paper and
make an infographic. By using colors and graphics to design the layout and make it readable to the public,
the infographic makes it easier for people to understand something that is highly technical to them and
turns it into a readable and a user friendly poster that is attractive for people to read.
Outcomes: After receiving some suggestions from the staff, severalamendments have been made to
create a well-laid out and beautiful designed poster.
Evaluation: Before the poster is formally published, some staff members in Middlesex County have seen
the poster and given some feedback on the poster. First, this poster is clear and concise, with
interpretations for most of the terminologies, breaking professional knowledge into something easy to
understand, so that it encourages the public to read it like a book more than a report. The poster’s design
is attractive and the way it uses color and pictures to enhance the story was appreciated by the users. The
County is happy with the product and will expand the use of posters to other topics to help the public
better appreciate their government. The County is asking if Office of Planning can do this Poster every
year in the future, and not only in wastewater management but for other major initiatives that the County
is involved with.