Water Finance

Trump, Democrats signal interest in infrastructure for “Phase 4” stimulus

Trump, Democrats signal interest in infrastructure for “Phase 4” stimulus

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump tweeted about a possible federal infrastructure bill worth $2 trillion that would presumably serve as, or as part of, a “Phase 4” stimulus package amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Then on Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was joined by U.S.Read More

Stimulus package excludes financial relief for water sector

Stimulus package excludes financial relief for water sector

Congress released a massive stimulus package last week that was signed by President Donald Trump amid the COVID-19 pandemic that could have serious economic ramifications both in the United States and around the globe. The bill included significant funding for a variety of private industries, butRead More

Deane returns to EPA to head up Clean Water SRF program

Deane returns to EPA to head up Clean Water SRF program

Michael Deane, former associate assistant administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water, announced he has returned to the agency to lead the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, effective March 16. Deane most recently served as the executive director ofRead More

NACWA estimates clean water utilities could face $12.5 billion in losses from COVID-19 impact

NACWA estimates clean water utilities could face $12.5 billion in losses from COVID-19 impact

Washington Report, Water Finance, Water Management March 23, 2020 at 8:40 am

While Congress debated the specifics of a major stimulus package last week, public clean water utilities continue to provide essential water services to their communities around the country despite the financial uncertainties. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) said in a press release thatRead More

Lawmakers propose banning delinquent water shutoffs during coronavirus shutdown

Lawmakers propose banning delinquent water shutoffs during coronavirus shutdown

A group of Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives has written to congressional leaders recommending the federal government impose a nationwide moratorium on water service disconnections until the COVID-19 crisis has subsided. The request came in the form of a March 11 letter sent toRead More

COMMENTARY: Yes, Finance and Engineering Can Be BFFs

COMMENTARY: Yes, Finance and Engineering Can Be BFFs

By Kristy Neckowicz Recently one of our clients, an engineering director of a major water utility, made a bold claim when she stated, “Against the will of every engineer, their job needs them to also be an accountant.” I’d argue that the same applies for everyRead More

City of Buffalo to launch nation’s largest Environmental Impact Bond

City of Buffalo to launch nation’s largest Environmental Impact Bond

Public Utility Finance, Water Finance March 2, 2020 at 12:03 pm

Mayor Byron W. Brown of Buffalo, N.Y. announced during his 14th State of the City address that Buffalo will launch the largest Environmental Impact Bond (EIB) in the country at $30 million. The funds from this investment will allow the City of Buffalo and BuffaloRead More

WaterWorksFund.com launches to advance investment opportunities

WaterWorksFund.com launches to advance investment opportunities

Public Utility Finance, Water Finance February 24, 2020 at 10:10 am

WaterWorksFund.com, an online investing platform focused on advancing water solutions, has officially launched. WaterWorks, the Detroit-based organization behind the site, says WaterWorksFund.com is aimed at introducing people to investment opportunities in technology companies and projects seeking investment capital. “Many innovative technologies and projects exist toRead More

Financial Report: Serving the Community through Data-Driven Decisions

Financial Report: Serving the Community through Data-Driven Decisions

By Glenn Barnes Water systems exist to serve their communities. But do the water system’s rate structure, prices, and policies align with community values? The annual rate process is an opportunity to measure this. Every year, water systems should calculate the annual cost of providingRead More

Sewerball: The Art of Managing Storm and Wastewater Using Data

Sewerball: The Art of Managing Storm and Wastewater Using Data

By Greg Quist Stormwater and sanitary sewer systems may be some of the least technologically sophisticated systems in the utility’s arsenal. Most often, these systems are gravity-based and out of sight. As a result, operational assessments are limited to the occasional visual inspection when anRead More