The Water Supply Forum serves the water utility community by providing timely programs on topics and issues of interest to the regions water providers.

 

 

Regional Rate and Supply Economics Workshop

On November 18, 2011 the Water Supply Forum presented a workshop on the challenge of water rates and utility economics during times of declining water use.  Topics included Forecasting for Declining Water Demands, Managing Financial Risk with Declining Sales, and Sustainability through Rate Principles and Practices. 

 

Lara Kammerick spoke on Forecasting for Declining Water Demands.  This presentation addressed factors driving demand trends, current and potential enhancement of forecasting methods and improved ways of defining and managing forecast risk.  Lara's presentation Forecasting for Declining Water Demands is available >> here. 

 

John Ghilarducci and Robb Grantham spoke on Managing Financial Risk with Declining Sales.  The presentation provided a general assessment of the topic and available tools with a discussion specifically addressing both retail and wholesale utility issues.  John and Robb's presentation Managing Financial Risk with Declining Sales is available >> here.

 

Dr. Janice Beecher spoke on Sustainability through Rate Priniciples and Practices.  The presentation discussed the relationship between rates and financial and environmental sustainability.  An overview of evolving and nascent topics related to pricing and price signals, consistency with resource and utility costs, and how to incentivize efficiency without sacrificing financial viability.  Dr. Beecher's presentation Sustainability through Rate Principles and Practices is available >> here. 

 

 

Social Media and the Water Utility Workshop

On October 28, 2010 the Forum along with the Partnership for Water conservation presented a workshop on the use of social media for water utilities.  The Workshop provided an introduction to the expanding use of social media, tools such as blogging, facebook, and twitter, within the water utility setting.  Several utilities that have implemented use of the tools provided examples illustrating applicability to the water utility business.

 

The Workshop Program  >>download

 

Each of the presentations from the social media Workshop are available for download below. 

 

  • Matt Smedley, Frause - Getting Your Feet Wet, Communicating with Social Media >>download

  • Sarah Bott, Portland Water Bureau - Use of Social Media (at the Water Bureau) >>download

  • Laurie Van Leuven, FEMA - Engaging with the Public: The Wiki Way >>download

  • Sonja Hall, Tacoma Public Utilities - A Social Media Story >>download

  • Bruce Blood, City of Seattle - Social Media Comes to the City of Seattle >>download

  • Kirk Stinchcombe, Econnics - Water Conservation and the Web 2.0 >>download

  • Diana Smith, Tacoma Public Utilities - Using Social Media for Water Conservation >>>download

 

Carbon Footprint Workshop

On September 29, 2009 the Forum presented a workshop on Green House Gases and Carbon Footprint based on the work of the Water Research Foundation. The workshop was tailored specifically to the needs of water utilities. Seven separate PowerPoint presentations were included and are available here:

 

 

Bond Financing for Water Utility Projects

The Forum hosted a program on bond financing for water projects on April 23, 2009. The program was provided by Susan Musselman, Financial Advisor from Dashen Musselman, Alisce Ostdiek, Bond Counsel from Foster Pepper, PLLC, and Rob Shelly, Underwriter, of Seattle-Northwest Securities, experts on utiility financing.  The program addressed the current economic climate, the implication of the current climate for utility bond sales, and how utilities might approach the market to ensure a successful offering.  The speakers reflected on how to structure a successful bond sale in today’s market, including discussion of: current market climate and conditions that might affect utility bond offerings; how utilities could approach rating agencies; potential changes in operations or rate structures that might improve market acceptability; the outlook for future utility debt issuance; and competitive verses negotiated sale.  The presentation materials are available for download >>here