Special assessments are a commonly used tool to finance the construction of improvements in parts of the country. The basic idea is that the cost of improvements is assigned to the individual properties that benefit and in relation to how much benefit is received. In other words, when a new water pipeline is installed along … Read more
The year 2020 brought many words and phrases to the forefront of the public’s collective consciousness. The idea of equity is being considered more carefully in many communities across the country. For instance, the City of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota included Equity as one of six goals to accomplish within the next five years in the … Read more
The Federal year-end Omnibus Appropriations Bill was grouped with the high profile COVID relief legislative package. Several appropriations benefit the water sector, including: Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF): $1,638,826,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): $1,126,088,000 Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA): $59.5M U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Overflow Control & Stormwater Municipal … Read more
The fourth quarter of what seems like the longest year in history is upon us. As utility decision makers review year-end revenue projections and sign off on expenditures for the coming year, it is also the time for the discussion of the rate schedule. Rate changes can be a complicated and difficult discussion topic. The … Read more
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced deadlines for applying for Federal Clean Water Act (CWA), Section 319 nonpoint source control grants. Nonpoint source water pollution is often associated with specific land uses such as agriculture, forestry, urban and suburban development, and runoff from … Read more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced the 2020 notice of funding availability under its Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program, including funding for the new State Water Infrastructure Financing Authority (SWIFIA) program. The announcement marks the fourth round of WIFIA funding. The funding programs accelerate investment in critical water infrastructure through innovative … Read more