Writing about contaminants and regulatory topics takes specialized knowledge — because accuracy builds trust where it matters most.
When it comes to environmental issues—especially those involving the EPA, DEP, or emerging contaminants like PFAS—the stakes are simply too high for trial-and-error communications. Writing about these topics isn’t like drafting a generic corporate announcement. It requires not only skill with words but also a deep, working knowledge of science, regulation, and stakeholder concerns.
The Problem With Generalist PR Firms
A public relations firm without direct experience in environmental regulation and contaminants often underestimates the complexity of the subject. They might craft a release that sounds polished but misses key context, misuses technical terms, or fails to anticipate how regulators, community members, and industry stakeholders will react.
By the time that firm invests the hours to research the EPA’s evolving policies, the DEP’s permitting structures, or the nuances of contaminants like PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, or hexavalent chromium—you could have written the release yourself. Worse, their learning curve becomes your cost in both time and money.
Why Specialized Knowledge Matters
Press releases in this space aren’t just about publicity—they’re about credibility and risk management. One misplaced word can undermine community trust, spark regulatory scrutiny, or even expose your organization to liability. Firms with EPA/DEP experience understand:
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- The regulatory landscape: Knowing what’s current, pending, and politically sensitive.
- Scientific accuracy: Understanding contaminant pathways, toxicity, and emerging research.
- Stakeholder perception: Anticipating how language will be read by communities, NGOs, regulators, and media.
Environmental communication isn’t about spin — it’s about accuracy, trust, and accountability. When you’re talking about contaminants, regulators, and public health, there’s no room for guesswork.
Your team’s expertise in content development, community outreach, and strategic communication for the Town’s new Water Treatment Plant was instrumental in ensuring our residents were informed, engaged, and empowered throughout the decision-making process. From creating user-friendly online resources and educational materials to your active participation in community events, CSS has fostered trust and transparency, helping build broad community support for this vital project.
As we move forward into the implementation phase, we are excited to continue our collaboration. With your ongoing support, we are confident that the new water treatment plant will set a new standard for public water infrastructure, ensuring clean and reliable drinking water for Plainville’s residents for many years.
The Real Risk of Getting It Wrong
If a press release downplays risks, uses the wrong terminology, or omits key details, it can backfire. Instead of reassuring the public or positioning your organization as proactive, you risk sounding dismissive, uninformed, or evasive. That reputational damage can take years to undo.
Why You’re Better Off Doing It Yourself
At least when you draft a release internally, you start from a position of knowing your work, your challenges, and your stakeholders. You may not write with perfect polish, but your facts will be right—and that matters more than anything. If a PR firm doesn’t already bring that technical and regulatory fluency, their “polish” is just a liability wrapped in nice formatting.
The Bottom Line
Environmental communication is not a sandbox for generalists. It’s a specialized field where words carry weight equal to lab results and compliance filings. If your PR partner isn’t already fluent in EPA, DEP, and emerging contaminants, handing them your press release is like giving a calculus exam to someone who hasn’t passed algebra. By the time they figure it out, you’ll have wasted precious time, and you could have done it yourself—better.
At Capital Strategic Solutions, we combine communication strategy with regulatory insight. Our team understands the science, the stakeholders, and the story — helping municipalities and organizations craft messages that build trust and withstand scrutiny.
Nichol is definitely a public outreach specialist! I am glad to have had her and the CSS team assisting us. Operating Easton’s water quality hotline was a great support, freeing up our focus on the removal of PFAS6 from Easton’s drinking water as well as regular day-to-day activities.”
About Capital Strategic Solutions
CSS is a certified woman-owned, disadvantaged business enterprise of municipal experts delivering creative, cost-effective solutions that maximize success and minimize risk. With deep local government expertise, we craft tailored strategies to meet each community’s unique needs.
Our capabilities span public administration, municipal finance, human resources, policy development, emergency management, public safety, public works, water operations, interim municipal services, public relations, community engagement, project management, grant writing, and onsite support. We partner with clients to define clear goals, overcome challenges, and implement human-centered plans that drive performance and transform communities.