September 8, 10, 15 & 17 The 2020 Water Finance Conference, which will be presented in a virtual format this September, will touch on a range of topics in the water utility finance space including rate setting, customer affordability short- and long-term financial planning, revenue recovery through technology, financing unfunded regulatoryRead More

As the start of the federal Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) rapidly approaches on October 1st, the U.S. House has begun working to advance its annual Appropriations (funding) bills through their committee process. Last week, the House Appropriations Committee passed its Interior and Environment bill to fund the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Read More

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies’ (NACWA) 2019 Cost of Clean Water Index, released May 29, indicates that the average cost of wastewater services rose 3.8 percent in 2019, more than doubling the rate of inflation over the same period. The national average cost for wastewater services for a single-familyRead More

The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), two organizations representing municipally-owned utilities, recently asked Senate leaders to include public sector aid in the next round of COVID-19 relief legislation. Pointing to estimates that drinking water and wastewater systems could lose as muchRead More

The application period is open for the Utility of the Future Today recognition program, which seeks to honor water resource recovery facilities for community engagement, watershed stewardship and recovery of resources such as water, energy and nutrients. The Utility of the Future Today concept is being promoted as water systemsRead More

Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday released the HEROES Act, the latest proposed relief package to address the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic challenges resulting from it. The proposal includes $1.5 billion in funding for water ratepayer assistance to help struggling households pay their water andRead More

The organizers of Water Week 2020 will present complimentary webinar sessions on April 22 and 29 to discuss the water sector’s key issues and talking points, as well tools and tips for engaging with congressional representatives. Live conference events for Water Week 2020, originally scheduled for April 26 – May 2Read More

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. Reps. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), JamesRead More

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, but direct financial relief for theRead More

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 that challenges utilities face include fallingRead More