• AWWA ACE94074
Provide PDF Format

Learn More

AWWA ACE94074

  • Gaining Public Acceptance of Rate Increases
  • Conference Proceeding by American Water Works Association, 01/01/1994
  • Publisher: AWWA

$12.00$24.00


Water systems throughout the US are facing the challenge and dilemma of generating enough revenues to just stay even--not to mention projects to improve systems or comply with new regulations. And until someone somewhere finds another way, water utilities have to increase rates to generate additional funds. The author will discuss two Public Information projects--in one of the communities, the elected officials passed a new rate ordinance that included the increased rates. In the other, the rate increase was contingent upon a favorable vote on a bond referendum. Oddly enough, the Public Information activities for both projects were virtually the same. An outdated conventional wisdom holds that if all you need is an ordinance to change the rates, only a minimal Public Information program is needed, if any at all. This conventional wisdom is entirely wrong and if a water utility follows that course, it is quite likely that their customers will be angry. The anger will be based as much upon the fact that the utility ignored communications as upon the actual amount of the rate increase. The community that increased their rates through ordinance approached their project as though they did have to have voter approval. On the basis of our experience, every rate increase should be approached that way.

Related Products

AWWA JAW23801

AWWA JAW23801

Journal AWWA - Controlling Swampy Odors in Drinking Water ..

$15.00 $30.00

AWWA DSS60350

AWWA DSS60350

Design, Construction and Operation of Denver's New Recycled Water System..

$12.00 $24.00

AWWA JAW64847

AWWA JAW64847

Journal AWWA - Process-Train Profiles of NOM through a Drinking Water Treatment Plant..

$15.00 $30.00

AWWA JAW59515

AWWA JAW59515

Journal AWWA - Expanded Summary: Protecting Watersheds from Cryptosporidium in Manure: A Literature ..

$15.00 $30.00