Rates & Affordability

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) recently released a new report showing that average annual wastewater service costs for American families increased at twice the rate of inflation between 2000 and 2021. The report highlights how income inequality is driving heightened affordability challengesRead More

Can’t predict the future when it comes to capital planning? Instead, control the future with continuous rate management. On this edition of WF&M Conversations, JP Joly, founder of Waterworth, joins Water Finance & Management managing editor Andrew Farr to discuss to the advantages of waterRead More

Fitch Ratings says 2023 will bring a series of challenges that U.S. water and sewer utilities have not experienced in over a decade, according to Fitch Ratings’ 2023 outlook for the sector. Fitch Ratings’ 2023 sector outlook for U.S. water and sewer utilities is ‘Deteriorating’Read More

Rosemary Menard, Water Director for the City of Santa Cruz, California, is the 2022 Water Finance & Management Award Winner As we know, utility work is multifaceted. Just as every water utility needs a dedicated team of operators, lab technicians and field crews, it alsoRead More

Some water utilities had as many as 40,000 unpaid accounts during the COVID-19 pandemic The US Water Alliance has released a new report on the practice and effect of water shutoffs due to nonpayment. The report, titled The Path to Universally Affordable Water Access: GuidingRead More

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this month announced the selection of 29 Environmental Finance Centers (EFCs) that will help communities across the country access federal funding for infrastructure and greenhouse gas reduction projects that improve public health and environmental protection. The EFCs will deliver targeted technicalRead More

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) has adopted rules prohibiting non-municipal public water and sewer utilities from disconnecting customers during extreme cold weather emergencies. The new rules mean those utilities cannot disconnect service or issue late fees for nonpayment of bills due during suchRead More

By Jason Mumm Utility systems work better at scale. George Westinghouse demonstrated it to the world in 1896 when his company harnessed hydroelectric generating stations at Niagara Falls to power the entire city of Buffalo with alternating current. Compared to Thomas Edison’s direct current, Westinghouse’sRead More

ASDWA has announced the launch of its new Environmental Justice webpage. The webpage includes ASDWA’s environmental justice strategy, developed by ASDWA’s members and staff and will guide the association’s work in the future, as well as a variety of resources related to environmental justice and drinkingRead More

By Trey Overman Many factors come into play that help make water utilities and the communities they serve more resilient. Using the right technology, they can enhance service, create operational efficiencies and improve their bottom line. All through the careful and remotely managed flow ofRead More