How can members of the water industry educate the Congress, both members and staff? Education must begin at home; water industry representatives must first learn to clearly and concisely relate industry issues to the constituents of members of Congress and then overcome their fear of approaching Congressmen. Disarray within the water industry impedes the cause: the industry must agree on which issues are important and agree on a proposal for government action when that is appropriate. Individual and grass-roots action is the key to influencing members of Congress whose careers depend on their constituents. Donate time and money to get sympathetic politicians elected; appear at local fundraisers; visit them at their local or Washington DC offices; write frequent letters; correspond with their staffs; ask for their help in passing bills or to speak out on an issue; and join national organizations that lobby for the industry.