As American Water Works Association
(AWWA) member, I often try to understand the field of drinking water supply from
the viewpoint of the utility manager. These days, that individual is confronted with
multiple challenges, each of which can be daunting in their own right.
Let’s list a few:
-
Regulation compliance
-
Personnel management and hiring
-
Water system security
-
Adequate water supply
-
Adequate water quality
-
Customer satisfaction and confidence
-
Capital improvement funding
-
Business factors
-
Water storage and distribution
-
The political climate
Survey Says
AWWA recently did a
second “State of the Industry” survey. There were more than 1,700
respondents from across the water community. Of the challenges in
the above list, five seemed to be emphasized most often:
Cost and
Feasibility
According to the
survey, many utility respondents were concerned about new
regulations from a couple of perspectives. First, they voice
concern over cost and feasibility of compliance. For example, the
complexity of the recently enacted Stage 2 Disinfection Byproducts
Rule (DBPR) and the Long-Term Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
(LT2) has caused great concern. Utilities that have to add
staff or treatment to comply with these regulations incur great
expense.
Health
Aspect
The second concern
was regarding regulation compliance costs relative to the health benefits
that they provide. These issues divert precious community resources
that have been earmarked for other important projects where finances
are already strained.
Water
Conservation
Another interesting,
and less helpful influence on revenues, has been the advancement of
water conservation. While “doing the right thing” and conserving
water, consumers are actually increasing the financial burden on the
water authority. In short, responsible customers must be told
to use fewer gallons and pay more for the gallons they do use.
