2020 Rate Survey Results for Systems Serving 5,000 or Greater

The 2020 AE2S Nexus Annual Utility Rate Survey has been distributed to the participants who voluntarily shared their data.  We hope that the results are useful to systems throughout the region as budgets are finalized and 2020 rates are set, by providing a regional measure for utilities to benchmark themselves against similar systems and/or the … Read more

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

$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

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

Water and Wastewater Rate-Setting: Fixed Charge Considerations

According to the results of the 2019 AE2S Utility Rate Survey, it is most common for systems to utilize a combination of fixed and variable charges in its utility rate structures – particularly for drinking water rates. Just 1.1% of municipal survey respondents of all sizes are using a fixed charge (with no volumetric charge) … Read more