Constructed wetlands have been proposed as a cost-effective wastewater treatment, storage, and reuse solution for communities that are considering alternative water supply options to meet essential demands. In 2016, we began exploring the idea of wastewater reuse and the construction of an experimental wetland in Sewanee, located in the southern U.S. state of Tennessee. As a major barrier to water reuse is often public resistance, we conducted a survey and focus groups to determine strategies to develop and initiate a community engagement campaign, aiming to empower residents to form reasoned opinions about local water supply options. This data set includes the survey that was distributed to Sewanee community members between November 2015 and February 2016, as well as protocols for three focus groups that were conducted with K12 teachers and community leaders on February 11 and 12, 2016. The survey results are summarized in a Microsoft Excel file. The three focus groups were transcribed, these transcripts are included here as PDF documents.

Wetland construction was funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation and Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, which support projects that foster access to clean water, water conservation, and water reuse. Additional funding was provided by the Riverview Foundation of Chattanooga, TN and through the River Basin Center's Butler Fellowship.