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
The National Rural Water Association, headquartered in Duncan, Oklahoma, has been selected through a competitive grants process to establish a regional Environmental Finance Center (EFC) to serve the USEPA Region 8 states, which include Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. USEPA says the EFC will provide multi-media environmental finance expertise and outreach to regulated … Read more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recently announced it is accepting letters of interest (LOI) for credit assistance for water infrastructure projects under the new Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. The WIFIA program will provide long-term, low-cost credit assistance in the form of direct loans and loan guarantees to creditworthy water projects. … Read more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has finalized a rule to amend its Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations. The update aims to reduce the likelihood of accidental releases at chemical facilities and improve emergency response activities when those releases occur. “This rule is based on extensive engagement with nearly 1,800 people over the last two … Read more
No water system is perfect. Somewhere between entry to the distribution system and registry at customer meters, water loss will occur. Some of it is essential for standard operation of the system, as in the case of hydrant flushing. Also expected and allowed is water consumed for firefighting purposes and other City functions such as … Read more
As utility systems look to continue reinvesting in existing systems and expanding to serve new customers, one typical hurdle they face is how to pay for investments. Fortunate systems may have enough cash on hand or access to grant funding to offset the costs of needed improvements, but often a system will need to use … Read more