Pennsylvania State University
IN-2: Innovation 2

Penn State Public Broadcasting’s Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure is a documentary and community outreach initiative that informs the nation about US water and wastewater infrastructure and raises public awareness of water-related sustainability issues. First released on October 1, 2008, Liquid Assets continues to foster discussions all across America. In the first twelve-month period following its release, the documentary was telecast more than 1800 times nationwide on 95% of all public television stations (350+). It was broadcast in 100% of the top 40 markets. Furthermore, the Web site had visits from more than 140 countries.

Liquid Assets fostered partnerships among nationwide and local organizations and provided tools that enabled communities to connect around shared issues. The outreach partners—American Society of Civil Engineers (lead partner), the International City/County Management Association, the National Environmental Service Center, and Penn State’s Cooperative Extension—worked with communities nationwide to hold hundreds of public screenings and events sponsored by multiple community partners. Partners and non-profit and government agencies distributed 15,000 copies of the DVD free of charge, including to municipalities representing 80% of the U.S. population, for use in local community meetings and discussions. 535 copies of Liquid Assets were distributed to members of Congress.

Finally, the producers of Liquid Assets earned the American Association of Engineering Societies’ 2008 Journalism Award for outstanding reporting.