AWWA JAW34936

Rate increases are inherently unpopular; some utility customers oppose them regardless of how badly they are needed or how frugal the utility is. In Austin, Texas, a public involvement program conducted in concert with a cost-of-service rate study assisted the Austin Water and Wastewater Utility in achieving implementable rates. In this article the authors review business values that enhance the likelihood a public involvement program will succeed, and they describe techniques that strengthen public involvement programs. Among these techniques are assigning the utility a role as moderator of diverse groups, efficiently using professional consultants, and carefully training utility representatives who will interact with public interest groups. In Austin, communication among interested parties was thorough and was conducted at a surprisingly technical level. At the end of the process, the utility and an ad hoc committee agreed on 18 of 22 recommendations made by the rate study team.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. 85 - No. 11

Published:

11/01/1993

Number of Pages:

7

File Size:

1 file , 1.6 MB