Pure Water Oceanside

Ardurra's community relations team manages public outreach and education initiatives for Pure Water Oceanside, the first operating advanced water purification facility in San Diego County, which began serving customers in 2022. The groundbreaking project purifies recycled water to create drought-proof drinking water, reducing Oceanside's reliance on imported water by 32% while establishing new standards for community engagement in water reuse projects.

Since 2018, Ardurra has implemented strategic community relations, education, and perception-change campaigns to prepare residents for advanced water purification infrastructure. The approach began with online water customer surveys that identified perceptions and established baseline measures of understanding and support for indirect potable reuse, guiding targeted communication strategies.

Key Community Relations Achievements:

• Managed the first operating advanced water reuse project in San Diego County, reducing imported water reliance by 32% through comprehensive community engagement

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  Implemented award-winning community event launching "World of Water" in March 2019, earning PRSA recognition for innovative public outreach

• Developed a comprehensive education and marketing plan, achieving measurable perception change results through strategic baseline surveys and targeted communications

• Launched public tour program and speaker's bureau with visitor center design supporting ongoing community education and stakeholder engagement

• Coordinated major milestone events, including groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremonies, with the "Pure Water Oceanside is on the Map!" theme

• Managed construction outreach programs addressing pipeline, injection well, and monitoring well impacts on residents and businesses

• Won multiple prestigious awards, including WateReuse California Outreach/Public Education Program of the Year (2021) and CAPIO education award

The project earned recognition with eight awards from the Public Relations Society of America San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter, including integrated communications, special events, video, research, media relations, creative tactics, and best-in-show honors. The community engagement campaign demonstrates innovative approaches to acceptance of water reuse while establishing Pure Water Oceanside as a national model for advanced water purification public outreach.