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What is RSS?

Why Use RSS?

RSS helps busy people avoid information overload and stay on top of news and information that's of interest. RSS doesn't require an email system and/or repeated visits to multiple Web sites in search of updates.

RSS, or Really Simple Syndication, is a time-saving way to receive news and information updates from your favorite Web sites and blogs (these updates are often called "RSS feeds", "news feeds" or simply "feeds"). Typically RSS feeds consist of headlines and short summaries of new articles, blog entries, or search results, though some Web sites and blogs offer the full text of articles or blog entries as feeds.

A key feature of RSS feeds is that you actually "pull" the news to you by subscribing to an RSS feed, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Current RSS feeds on awwa.org

Subscribing to RSS feeds

To subscribe and receive RSS feeds, three things are necessary:

  1. A Web site or blog that offers RSS feeds
  2. Access to Web-based or desktop "feed reader" (also called an aggregator) 
  3. the URLs of RSS feeds you wish to receive

Web-based feed readers

There are a growing number of Web-based feed readers, which are typically free, and the process of signing up for feeds is simple. There are several online resources describing such tools, including at Wikipedia. After you've registered with a feed reader Web site, click any RSS icon on our site - RSS - to subscribe to the feed with your Web-based feed reader service. Simply copy the feed URL and paste it into the reader.

An advantage of the Web-based feed readers is that you can access your feeds from any computer with an Internet connection.

Desktop feed readers

With desktop feed readers, also know as client software readers, you will need to download and install software on your personal computer to read your feeds. You'll also need to copy and paste the RSS feed link as a subscription. Again, learn more from online resources such as at Wikipedia.

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As detailed on AWWA's Copyright Policy, the content of awwa.org is published by AWWA and is protected by the copyright laws of the United States. No material appearing on this Web site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any media (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission of the publisher.
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