2020 Utility Rate Survey Results

AE2S Nexus has published the 2020 version of its annual Utility Rate Survey. We would like to thank the 257 participants this year. AE2S Nexus received responses from 122 systems serving populations 5,000 and greater, 92 systems serving populations less than 5,000, and 43 regional rural systems.  Survey data was solicited from utilities in Colorado, … Read more

Best Practices to Streamline Capital Budgeting for Long-Term Planning

Public works and utilities often look at their capital projects from a different perspective than the finance department, both of which may have different objectives than the elected leaders who will ultimately approve the projects. When it comes to budget time, this can add to confusion surrounding the needs of the utilities, from identifying if … Read more

$6 Billion in New WIFIA Funding Available for Water Infrastructure

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

Cost of Infrastructure Fluctuates During Economic Slowdowns

The full economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is still unknown at this point. However, economists predict varying degrees of economic downturn. To compound the issue, oil producing regions are contending with the price of oil bottoming out at the same time. Although there are a lot of unknowns when it comes to the future … Read more

Reserves: Identification and Justification of Your System’s Capital Reserve Funding Goals

Utility managers and decision makers know that saving for the future is important.  The question is not whether to do it, but to what level.  What is the magic number? In the absence of a crystal ball, we are left to estimate future capital investment needs based on a series of assumptions.  This becomes a … Read more

Money Down the Drain

Shifting climate patterns and periods of drought and excessive precipitation appear to becoming increasingly extreme, posing continual challenges such as physical setbacks in the agricultural industry and social challenges associated with extreme weather conditions. In the water industry, we find ourselves simultaneously working toward solutions to conditions of both too little water and too much … Read more