To continue my previous posting about televisions, another media technology used by the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is the Internet. The SAWS website provided the same information about the drought, tips on how to conserve water, special plants that required very little water, and much more that made getting through the summer a little easier. I learned a lot about the aquifer that provides water to San Antonio’s large population. For example, I learned where the recharge zones are, which protected species live within the aquifer, how much water it holds and much more. As a result of this public relations campaign, I was able to reduce my water consumption without killing my lawn completely. I have a very favorable view of the San Antonio Water System as a result.
The Internet is home to a multiplicity of media technologies. It is no longer strictly used for company or personal websites, although these still exist. Social media has taken over the Internet in recent years. Fred Cavazza (2010) provides an excellent overview of all the social media technologies, outlets and tools available in his chart, Social Media Landscape. This chart “illustrates the richness and diversity of social media.”
The San Antonio Water System has captured a number of the media outlets through their Internet site. The site itself describes the products and services offered by the company as well as advice on a variety of subjects. It also provides educational materials about water usage. Consumers can pay their bills through the site, read the minutes from the SAWS Board meetings, even find out how to drop off unwanted or unused medications (so they don’t corrupt the water supply). Prospective employees can look at jobs that are available, and teachers can download instructional materials to teach students about water.
The Internet has changed drastically in a short period of time. Originally, it was a forum for people or organizations to share content with other people and consumers. Today it is interactive and has many tools.
Sources
Cavazza, F. (2010). Social media landscape. Retrieved September 20, 2010, from http://www.fredcavazza.net/2008/06/09/social-media-landscape/
San Antonio Water System (2010). Conservation. Retrieved September 20, 2010, from http://www.saws.org/conservation/
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