Assessing the Affordability of Drinking Water Rates for Small Water Systems in the Mid-Atlantic

Thursday, March 24, 2022

10:00am – 11:00am EDT
Register Online via Zoom

Description: Drinking water utilities are often expected to deliver high-quality service while keeping rates low. This can result in under-investment in water infrastructure or an inability to meet public health and environmental standards. However, rate increases may place a significant burden on lower-income households in a water system’s service area. How can utilities effectively balance service and infrastructure needs with a need to keep rates affordable for its customers?

In this webinar for drinking water utilities in the Mid-Atlantic region, presenters from the Environmental Finance Centers at the University of Maryland and the University of North Carolina will discuss methods to assess the affordability of current or future water rates. The training will cover metrics to consider – beyond Median Household Income – in order to meaningfully gauge the impact of utility costs under different affordability indicators. It will also feature a deep-dive into UNC’s updated Affordability Assessment Tool, which helps utilities make informed decisions regarding water rate changes, and will highlight case stories from around the Mid-Atlantic region.

Cost: Complimentary.

Who should attend:

• Managers, owners, decision-makers, and operators of small water systems serving fewer than 10,000 people, including local government systems and tribal systems, as well as all other types of water systems, such as: homeowners associations, mobile home parks, resorts/campgrounds, prisons, and schools.

If you require a certificate: This training has NOT been pre-approved for continuing education credit, but certificates of participation can be provided upon request if an attendee wishes to retain a record of their own attendance.

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