
Utility Financial Information (UFI) Survey And DatabaseAddressing water utility finances is always a challenge, and in today’s economic climate water system executives need every advantage to maximize their financial planning and performance. That’s why AMWA has developed its new Utility Financial Information (UFI) initiative, a program that can significantly expand knowledge and understanding of critical financial factors that affect large metropolitan water utilities. AMWA launched its online survey on January 12, 2009 to gather the information necessary to help members better understand the financial dynamics of peer utilities across the country, particularly the magnitude and drivers of rate increases. The survey period closed on June 1, 2009. The survey was open only to AMWA members, so the results reflect input from the nation’s largest systems and provide data that can be used for many useful and meaningful comparisons. Follow-up surveys may be conducted to add a historical dimension to the data. The overall purpose of the UFI survey is to increase the level of understanding among AMWA members regarding large metropolitan water agencies’ rates, revenue sources, expense categories, and trends over time in these parameters. The availability and understanding of relevant comparative data from peer water utilities will help water managers better understand cost drivers, identify different alternatives for funding these costs, and provide comparative data for presentation to put in context financial needs. The data will also be useful to AMWA in creating statistical support for legislative and regulatory initiatives where sound, representative utility financial information is required. A number of basic analyses (members only) of UFI survey data were conducted on the information collected by March 31. UFI Database and Webinar
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