Mike McGill: Communicating Through Crisis | Make Water Work 009

Mike McGill, a former CNN producer turned water utility communicator, joins Isaac and Megan to unpack what utilities get wrong about communication, and how they can get it right before a crisis hits. Drawing from decades in crisis communication, Mike explains how proactive messaging protects reputations, why transparency is strategic, and how small utilities can punch above their weight.

Topics Covered:

• How a $1.2 billion consent decree pulled Mike into water communications

• Lessons from launching WaterPIO and serving utilities in 20+ states

• The dangers of “check-the-box” compliance on PFAS and LCRI rules

• How to communicate before a crisis rather than during one

• The importance of collaboration between utilities, schools, and health departments

• Why earned media still beats TikTok for trust and reach

• What “planned transparency” looks like in practice

Key Takeaway:

Proactive communication isn’t just good PR...it’s operational resilience. Hear from the expert who’s helped utilities turn crisis moments into trust-building opportunities.