Many small water systems in the state are operating in communities with decreasing average customer water use, declining service populations, or have lost or are at risk of losing large commercial/industrial customers that generate much-needed revenues. As the number or the average use of customers decrease over time, revenues for these small systems decline faster than expenses. This workshop will focus on helping water systems determine whether they face some of these financial difficulties, and strategies on how to mitigate them for a long-term financial viability. Topics will include:

• Trends in service populations and customer demands in NC
• Financial impacts of declining populations and demands on utilities
• How to determine your community’s trends and revenue risk
• Strategies for long-term financial viability in communities with declining populations and demands

Who Should Attend: • Managers, owners, and operators of small water systems serving less 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, schools, prisons, and more • 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 CEUs: This workshop is approved for 6 Contact Hours for water operators (#187236) by the North Carolina Water Treatment Facility Operator Certification Board, and 6 Hours for wastewater operators (#CE01231801) by the Water Pollution Control Systems Operator Certification Commission. Trainer: Shadi Eskaf, Senior Project Director, Environmental Finance Center at UNC- Chapel Hill Contact: Allison Perch, perch@sog.unc.edu Partners:              Resources: Financial Resiliency Against Declining Demands- All Slides LGC Fiscal Health Water Sewer Example