Water Basics for Decision Makers: Local Officials' Guide to Water & Wastewater Systems, Second Edition
Water and wastewater utilities are the backbone of public health, economic development, and environmental protection. As expectations rise and challenges evolve—from regulatory shifts to infrastructure aging and workforce transitions—utility leaders must be equipped to navigate complexity with clarity and purpose. This revised edition of Water Basics for Decision Makers empowers public officials, managers, and operators with foundational knowledge and forward-looking insights to deliver safe, sustainable, and equitable service in a rapidly changing world.
Description
This second edition of Water Basics for Decision Makers: Local Officials’ Guide to Water & Wastewater Systems is designed to lead the reader through the process from finding the water supply to the ultimate use by the customer and disposal of the treated wastewater, with later inclusion of programs and policies that all utilities should have. Updates for sustainability, workforce, water quality challenges, and financing have been included. Throughout the book, there are many photos and other graphics designed to provide the reader with a clearer view of water system facilities through graphics (worth 1,000 words), as many elected officials will, for obvious reasons, have limited experience with water utility systems and many have never seen this much of this infrastructure.
As noted, in addition to providing insight into the facilities themselves, this book is a discussion of infrastructure conditions, assessment, funding needs, and financing, and includes sections on rate concepts, rate schedule options, impact fees, and financial planning. Most water and sewer utilities operate as enterprise funds, although in many cases where utilities are part of local governments, utility personnel see water and sewer funds being transferred to balance the general fund without appropriate increases in water and sewer rates, which restricts reinvestment in the utility system. This lack of investment has negative consequences for the utility, yet in most communities, water is a bargain in the United States and Canada: still less expensive than cable television. And water is required for our survival, so its low cost makes it accessible to everyone.
There are many emerging issues. One of the major shifts in the industry in the last 20 years has been the level of technology employed and the expertise required to operate systems efficiently. There are two results: safer water for the customer and higher costs of operation. For many water and sewer system issues, the use of professionals and consultants is required. Risk is an issue that has become a significant part of the water system and will continue to be an ongoing concern, whether that risk is the workforce, system failure, public health impacts, emerging contaminants, sustainable supplies, or security issues.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Regulatory Framework
3. Water Use and Competition for Supplies
4. Raw Ground and Surface Water Supplies
5. Water Treatment
6. Wastewater Treatment
7. Plant Operations
8. Water Distribution and Sewer Collection System Operations and Maintenance
9. Management of the Water System
10. Administrative Measures
11. Financing Water Systems
12. Concluding Thoughts