Reversing the Decline of Utilities: A P4 Alternative

By Robert Sheets

Water and wastewater utilities are more often than not self-supporting revenue enterprises (and sometimes revenue generators) for communities. However, even with the best of intentions, good utilities can go bad. In general, the smaller the utility, the greater the struggle, though there are exceptions. For decades, Florida developers building outside urban service areas either installed wells and added septic tanks for entire communities or they constructed small plants to provide services to their developments. Both approaches were ubiquitous; each had and still present unique challenges to the local government. However, whichever approach was used, they do share this: old septic tanks and small package plants that have been poorly maintained pose a threat to the environment. While a private well can be replaced, a water treatment package plant that hasn’t been maintained can have major delivery and product quality issues.