AE2S Nexus has published the 2017 version of its annual Utility Rate Survey. We would like to thank the 285 participants this year. AE2S Nexus received responses from 130 systems serving populations 5,000 and greater, 107 systems serving populations less than 5,000, and 48 regional rural systems. Survey data was solicited from utilities in Iowa, … Read more
President Donald Trump’s Budget Request for fiscal year 2018 (FY18), includes funding for the Water Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (WIFIA), Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) programs, within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) budget. The WIFIA program received $20 million, with $17 million of that amount eligible … Read more
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) anticipates approximately $900,000 in funding for nonpoint source water pollution projects available under the Federal Clean Water Act. Nonpoint source water pollution stems from many sources and is often generated by land use such as agricultural and forestry activities, urban and suburban development, and runoff from abandoned mine … Read more
It appears 2017 will be a good year to construct or replace underground infrastructure. Thanks to relatively favorable interest rates, infrastructure projects are more affordable right now. “The interest rates in Federal and State funding programs such as the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF/CWSRF) and USDA Rural Development funding are at … Read more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program received an additional $8 million for credit subsidy in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on May 5, 2017. The additional funding, combined with the $17 million appropriated for credit subsidy at the … Read more
Affordability is a top concern cited by policy makers and utility managers. From a big picture perspective, unaffordable utility rates create two problems: 1) hardship for ratepayers, and 2) inadequate revenues for the utility. This article does not address how or why utility charges may reach a level that is viewed as unaffordable. Rather, it … Read more