Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Elements Of A Utility Rate Study, Sharon Rollins

MTAS Publications: Full Publications

How can communities protect their multi-billion dollar water and wastewater treatment investments and give citizens clean, safe water? The key lies with municipal officials' ability to acquire sufficient operating revenues.

Sound financial management allows communities to acquire the necessary revenues to maintain financially self-sufficient water and wastewater operations. The best source of revenue for paying water and wastewater treatment costs is user fees. Unfortunately, raising user fees is one of the most dreaded actions undertaken by local officials. If it is not done correctly, the resulting political backlash and public resistance can be harmful for water and wastewater operations.