Ryan Graf, MBA 
Planning ahead is critical to securing funding and advancing projects, but it does not eliminate risk. Even well-planned utility budgets face uncertainty, from equipment failures to revenue shortfalls that put pressure on operations. In our previous article, we discussed how planning ahead can position your utility to take advantage of funding opportunities. In this edition, … Read more
Whether you are a financial professional working for a large or small community, there are lots of recurring tasks and reports in your day-to-day life. Identifying opportunities to prepare ahead of time can help strike a balance between getting the most current reports out the door while setting yourself up to prepare next month’s reports … Read more
May is just around the corner, which means utilities that are on the fiscal year calendar are in the midst of budget season. Finance departments ask utility directors to start thinking about what resources may be needed in the coming year. One of the most challenging aspects of planning for next year is the utility … Read more
Depending on who you may ask, the number one expense for utilities is either personnel or capital investment. Personnel costs are something most utilities can plan for as work force requirements are generally consistent from year to year. Capital investment, on the other hand, can be much harder to incorporate into a sustainable financial plan. … Read more
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recently released a report on the impacts of climate change on the drinking water and wastewater sectors. The Climate Change in the Drinking Water and Wastewater Sectors and the Impact on Financial Resilience, Insurability, and Credit and Investment Quality report was led by the USEPA Climate Finance Working Group so … Read more
The changeover in workforce in the water and wastewater sector is a growing challenge that will eventually impact almost every system. While there are a number of ways that systems engage and recruit new workers, it’s also important to look at how the system itself is organized to improve recruitment and retention. As the next … Read more