本文回顾了一项对有公共咨询小组经验的水务公司的调查结果。AWWA的公共信息委员会进行了这项调查。回应的公用事业公司表示，社区中的团体最常讨论的话题是保护、费率和供水项目。大多数咨询小组都实现了具体目标。公用事业公司发现，咨询小组的参与改善了公用事业公司的运营，而不是削弱它们，在某些情况下增加了社区对项目的支持。作者回顾了宾夕法尼亚州费城布里德斯堡社区咨询委员会的经验，该委员会是水利部污水处理厂争议项目的社区咨询委员会。这篇文章最后给出了来自已成立社区咨询小组的调查参与者的建议和一般性意见。包括桌子。

This article reviews the results of a survey of water utilities that have had experience with public advisory groups. AWWA's Public Information Committee conducted the survey. Responding utilities state that the topics most frequently addressed by groups in their communities are conservation, rates, and water supply projects. Most advisory groups met specific goals. Utilities found that the participation of the advisory groups improved utilities' operations rather than detracting from them, in some cases increasing community support for projects. The author reviews the experience of the Bridesburg Community Advisory Council in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which serves as a community sounding board for controversial projects at the water department's wastewater plant. The article concludes with advice and general comments from survey participants who have formed community advisory groups. Includes tables.