| Running a small system is quite challenging. Water utilities have to meet ever increasing regulations and customer expectations, while at the same time having to address aging infrastructure, lack of personnel and financial resources, and competing priorities. Generally, small systems cost more to operate on a per customer basis than larger systems due to a lack of economy of scale, further complicating things for water managers and operators.
One strategy to help systems address some of their challenges is collaborating with other utilities. There are many different ways systems can collaborate from extremely informal information sharing sessions to sharing of personnel or purchasing to assistance with regulatory compliance. It is highly likely that one or more of these approaches may be beneficial and acceptable to your water utility.
We will discuss various approaches to collaboration and some of the benefits and challenges. In addition, we will introduce other strategies, such as energy efficiency, water loss auditing, asset management, rate setting, and funding options, that can be used to help address your water system challenges.
Trainer: Heather Himmelberger, Director, Southwest Environmental Finance Center
Contact: Susan Butler, butlers@unm.edu
Who Should Attend: This workshop is designed for water systems serving 10,000 or fewer people (though systems of any size may attend), especially targeting local government systems facing financial challenges. Owners of privately owned systems, consultants and technical assistance providers serving water systems are also invited to attend.
Partners: In Partnership with the Pacific Northwest AWWA And co-sponsored by the Washington State Office of Drinking Water
About the EFCN: The Smart Management for Small Water Systems program is administered by the Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN), a university-based organization creating innovative solutions to the difficult how-to-pay issues of environmental protection and improvement. The program is brought to you in collaboration with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and affiliated sections. |
