by Stacey Berahzer | Aug 8, 2017 | Affordability, Financial Management, Rates
“Won’t you pay my bill?” is a question that the water utility asks of the customers who do not pay their water, wastewater, and even stormwater bills. But low-income customers are, essentially, asking the same question: will you—higher-income customers—help pay the...
by Daniel Irvin | Jun 19, 2017 | Affordability, Financial Management, Rates
The affordability of water and wastewater rates is an issue attracting more attention than ever. In particular, “A Burgeoning Crisis? A Nationwide Assessment of the Geography of Water Affordability in United States”—a recent paper from Michigan State University— has...
by UNCEFC | Feb 16, 2017 | Affordability, Financial Management, Rates
Accurately identifying vulnerable groups and their commitment to pay, or incapacity to pay, is a timeless challenge in household water services. When consumers pay for household water service delivery, they are paying for the water, its delivery to their home, the...
by Stacey Berahzer | Sep 15, 2016 | Affordability
When setting rates, most water and wastewater utilities are concerned (at least to some extent) about whether their customers can afford the resulting bills. Many utilities are also wondering how they can assist the poorest segments of their customer base with the...
by UNCEFC | Aug 12, 2016 | Affordability
Unlike your favorite TV show, college football, or even your cell phone, water is a truly vital part of life. However, many Americans may still not have affordable access to this necessity. The question of whether or not water is “affordable” in some communities is an...
by Allison Perch | Mar 24, 2016 | Affordability, Infrastructure Renewal/ Replacement
Last month, as part of our Smart Management for Small Water Systems project, I traveled with Glenn Barnes, Senior Project Director at the Environmental Finance Center at UNC Chapel Hill, to visit a small water system that is in quite a financial bind. The system,...
