Description: Small water systems face the challenge of maintaining financial sustainability while providing safe, reliable service at affordable rates. This webinar will introduce the fundamentals of rate setting, including common rate structures. Participants will learn how to assess whether current or projected rates are sufficient to meet system needs and evaluate rate affordability for customers. The session will also demonstrate tools for rate analysis and affordability assessment and highlight resources available to support small systems.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the fundamentals of water rate setting.
• Identify common rate structures and considerations for selecting an appropriate structure.
• Evaluate the affordability of water rates, particularly for low-income customers.
• Use rate analysis and affordability assessment tools to support rate-setting decisions.
• Identify tools and resources available to help evaluate rate sufficiency and affordability.

Presenter: Danish Kumar, Program Manager, University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center

Certificate: This webinar has NOT been submitted for approval of continuing education credit. We can provide a certificate of attendance to eligible attendees, but cannot guarantee it will meet your PDH or CEU requirements.

Who Should Attend:

• Managers, owners, and operators of water systems serving less than 10,000 people
• Decision-makers for water utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks
• Consultants and technical assistance providers serving water systems
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Partner: