Beck New pressures on the U.S. water and wastewater industry have challenged municipalities to explore new avenues to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. The pressure has built up from many directions.
Recent regulations call for new or upgraded plants with serious penalties for non-compliance.
At the same time, the consequences of deferred maintenance are being felt, and there is political resistance to rate increases. The desire to improve the cost-effectiveness of municipal operations may be compounded by a community fiscal crises. Alternative procurement approaches may bring some relief. Alternative procurement may not be appropriate for every project. Where careful analysis shows that it is, utilities are finding ways to access new sources of funding, stabilize rates, mitigate risks and continue to serve the public interest.