Description: Utility systems must function as public enterprises, with rates and fees to customers generating revenues that cover all outgoing expenses. Though straightforward in theory, how to approach setting these rates and fees can be a challenging task. This webinar will explore how utility systems can structure rates to recover the full cost of providing wastewater service today and into the future. The webinar will begin with how to self-assess utility financial health and revenue needs before exploring various pricing approaches and their impact on a range of customers with different usage patterns. Finally, the webinar will cover types of customer assistance programs to consider when facing customer affordability issues.

Learning Objectives:

• Assess financial capacity of the utility
• Develop rate setting objectives
• Determine the cost of providing wastewater service
• Anticipate changes in revenues year-to-year by changes in use
• Measure the affordability of rates for all of your customers
• Create rate structures that reflect your rate setting objectives
• Review customer assistance program options

Presenter: Hope Thomson, Senior Project Director, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Government 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:

• Managers, owners, and operators of water systems serving less than 10,000 people, or wastewater systems with an average daily flow of less than 1 million gallons
• Decision-makers for water and wastewater 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 and wastewater systems

Partners: