Description: Small wastewater utilities face unique challenges in maintaining financial sustainability while ensuring affordability for customers. This training will equip participants with practical tools to assess community affordability, using data-driven methods to evaluate household-level impacts. Participants will explore rate-setting fundamentals and learn strategies to balance operational costs with fairness and conservation goals. The training will also include information and resources on how to design Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs) for those customers who cannot afford their water bills. The session will provide actionable guidance on gradual rate adjustments, financing, and leveraging existing resources to ensure long-term financial health and equitable service.

Learning Objectives:

• Characterize affordability challenges facing small wastewater systems and their customers
• Describe the purpose of wastewater rates and basic rate structure options
• Learn one method to assess if wastewater services are affordable for customers, especially low-income households
• Understand how a customer assistance program functions, the rules in Maryland, and the steps to implement one
• Know where to go for tools and support to evaluate rate affordability and develop a customer assistance program

Trainers: Kelsey Brooks, Program Manager, Kristel Sheesley, Program Manager, Natalia Sanchez, Program Manager, Kristin Clear Mielcarek, Program Manager, University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center

CEUs: This training has been submitted for pre-approval of continuing education credits though we cannot guarantee it. Regardless, we will provide attendees with a Certificate of Attendance for their personal record. 

Who Should Attend: