Engaging in Critical Water Conversations

Water is so crucial to our very survival. When our access to safe water is inadequate or somehow compromised, our emotions can understandably run high. When we begin to engage in conversations about water, especially difficult conversations about affordability, trust and water security, it is important that we don’t let our emotions obscure our objectives.

A helpful tool for engaging in challenging conversations is the book Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan and Switzler. We recommend reading this book if you have the time and are interested in the topic. Scroll through the document below for a summary of the main principles from the book and see them applied them to a few example “crucial conversations” that relate to water service and healthy community water practices. ​

Click here for a printable version of the Crucial Conversations Summary [PDF].