Soquel Creek Water District

General information

Soquel Creek Water District is a nonprofit, local government agency providing water to parts of the the City of Capitola, and the unincorporated areas of Aptos, La Selva Beach, Opal Cliffs, Rio Del Mar, Seascape and Soquel in Santa Cruz County, Calif.

The District is committed to effective communication with its customers, partners and other stakeholders. The District recognizes the value of social media in connecting with our community and wishes to expand its online presence through its use as a means of increasing outreach and education and stimulating public dialogue.

Below is our social media policy (approved by the Board on January 21, 2014):

Introduction
This policy is intended to establish ground rules and guidelines for the productive use of social media.

Purpose
The primary online communication tool for the District is and will continue to be its website: www.soquelcreekwater.org. To enhance and broaden online communication and interaction, the District has also established the following social media accounts:
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/soquelcreekwater
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/SoquelCreekWater
• Twitter: @SoquelCreekH2O or www.twitter.com/SoquelCreekH2O

Policy
1. Content
Social media content will support the District’s mission and reflects its key messages. It will aid in reaching a broad set of customers and stakeholders to engage them in District issues and activities. Content may include:
News and updates on District activities, projects, programs and events
News and updates on national, state, regional or local water-related issues
Announcements of Board meetings and available documents
Invitations to attend Board and other public meetings
Announcements of community events
Publication of newsletters, reports and other written material
Urgent or emergency updates
Press Releases
Information on groundwater management, water quality, water conservation, water supply options (recycled water, desalination, etc.) and other relevant topics
Relevant information from partner agencies or stakeholders.

2. Acceptable Use
The District social media sites shall include notification to site users/visitors that the following content will not be allowed on the site:
a. Comments that are inaccurate, misleading, or off-topic
b. Comments that makes unsupported accusations
c. Comments that contain vulgar language or content, personal attacks of any kind, or offensive terms targeting specific groups or individuals
d. Comments that compromise privacy
e. Comments that contain sexual content or is obscene
f. Comments that infringe on copyright or other proprietary rights
g. Comments that contains spam (irrelevant or inappropriate messages sent on the Internet to a large number of recipients)
h. Comments that contain partisan political views or views of a political organization
i. Comments that are commercial endorsements.

The District may remove any post that violates this policy. The District may also delete or block participants who do not comply with these guidelines.

3. Online Engagement and Social Media Postings
The District encourages two-way communication through its social media accounts and may opt to respond to comments and postings at the discretion of staff. All District social media communications shall seek to:
• Be helpful and add value
• Be transparent

Whenever possible, content posted to social media sites should contain links directing users back to the District’s official website for in-depth information, forms, documents, or other online tools/services primarily used to conduct business with the District. Staff shall test hyperlinks and verify information as needed before sharing or re-posting.

Comments and posts from site users/visitors are those of that particular individual and do not reflect the position of the District.

Whenever possible, staff shall respond to inquiries within one business day.

4. Site and Account Management
The District’s social media accounts are managed by District communication and outreach staff. During regular business hours, staff will update and monitor its social media accounts and be responsible for posting information or responding to comments. The District may also update and monitor during non-regular hours during emergencies or other special circumstances, at its discretion.

Third-party social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and other social media accounts may occasionally be unavailable. The District is not responsible for the lack of service.

5. Emergencies
Emergency information may be distributed through the District’s social media accounts in addition to other communication methods. Social media users should not rely solely on any of the District’s social media accounts for communication during emergencies. If an urgent matter needs the District’s attention, such as a facility emergency or leak, please contact 831-475-8500 or call 911.

6. Disclaimer
Content placed on the District’s social media sites by District followers, advertisers, or social media channel owners or vendors (such as Facebook, Youtube, or Twitter), does not represent the views, policies, or positions of the District, or its directors.

7. Changes to Social Media Site and Right of Termination
The District may change any format or functionality of its sites or terminate any social media account at any time.

8. Changes to Social Media Policy
The District may change, modify or amend all or part of this policy at any time.

Date: January 21, 2014