APWA, Water Organizations Launch Effective Utility Management Report

The American Public Works Assn. (APWA) and seven water associations, including the American Water Works Assn. (AWWA), the Assn. of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), the National Assn. of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the National Assn. of Water Companies (NAWC), the Assn. of Clean Water Agencies (ACWA), the Assn. of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF), in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced the release of the Effective Utility Management (EUM) Report at the National Water Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. The APWA, along with EPA and the water associations, announced the report, titled ‘Taking the Next Step: Findings of the Effective Utility Management Review Steering Group’, to identify refinements to the EUM framework, which includes 10 Attributes of Effectively Managed Utilities, or “building blocks,” of effectively managed water sector utilities and five Keys to Management Success.

“APWA is proud to partner with these seven leading water associations and the EPA to focus on the need for a continuum of water utility management opportunities,” said APWA Executive Director Scott Grayson. “The EUM Report launched by the key water organizations is positioned as an enhancement of the EUM framework, and the organization partners are the best resources for local, state and Federal governments. APWA is ready to assist in this important effort to find solutions to water infrastructure issues.”

The Effective Utility Management Collaborating Organizations have worked since 2007 on the EUM framework and the findings and recommendations in the report released today. In 2015, these organizations asked a Steering Group of utility and state leaders to review the EUM framework, originally developed by water industry leaders in 2007. The steering group also convened two national webinars for the members of the collaborating organizations.

The key areas of change in the water sector since 2007 that were a driving factor behind the findings in the EUM report include: accelerated adoption of automated and “smart” systems and data integration; growing climate variability and extremes; enhanced customer expectations and public awareness; expanded challenges associated with employee recruitment and retention; increased focus on resource recovery; continued regulatory requirements and operating condition changes; and greater consideration of storm water and watershed management.

For more information about the EUM report, visit watereum.org/about/

Source: APWA