The American Public Works Assn. (APWA) and leading 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), recently released "Taking the Next Step: Findings of the Effective Utility Management Review Steering Group."
The report identifies areas of change in the water sector since the organizations began collaborating in 2007 and outlines changes to the Effective Utility Management (EUM) 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 released by the key water organizations lays the foundation for the enhancement of the EUM framework, and the organization partners are the best resources for local and state governments. APWA is ready to assist as a resource in this important effort to find solutions to water infrastructure issues.”
The key areas of change in the water sector that drove the organizations’ release of the Taking the Next Step 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 www.watereum.org/about/ or contact APWA Director of Sustainability, Anne Jackson at [email protected].
Source: American Public Works Assn.
