Eight years after the introduction of the Attributes of Effective Utility Management (EUM) and Keys to Management Success – the widely adopted framework for operating sustainable water systems – the collaborating organizations that developed the standards are convening a formal review to determine if any revisions or updates are needed.
AMWA, along with EPA, Water Environment Federation, American Water Works Association, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, American Public Works Association and National Association of Water Companies, have chartered an Effective Utility Management Steering Group consisting of senior utility managers representing a balanced mix of utility operations, scale of service and regional location. The intent of the effort is to help the collaborating organizations continue to identify, encourage and recognize excellence in water and wastewater utility management.
The Steering Group will meet in Washington, D.C., in late July to begin their work with the goal of providing their recommendations in October. And, since so many utilities have used the EUM framework, others beyond the Steering Group will have a chance to offer input i as part of the process. Two national webinars will be held in the summer to obtain this additional input.
The Steering Group has been tasked to prepare a synthesis of findings and recommendations to submit to the collaborating organizations, including:
- a refined list of Attributes of Effectively Managed Utilities and Keys to Management Success;
- a summary of the key points arising from the deliberations of the Steering Group leading to the refined list; and
- recommendations to help spur even greater adoption of the EUM Attributes and Keys to Management Success going forward.
AMWA members serving on the Steering Group are:
- Scott Potter, Nashville Metro Water Services
- Steve Schneider, Saint Paul Regional Water Services
- John Sullivan, Boston Water and Sewer Commission
- Dan Roberts, Palm Bay Utilities Department
- Kathryn Sorensen, Phoenix Water
Other Steering Group members include:
- Andrew Clarkson, American Water
- Keith Fischer, SouthWest Water
- Dan Hartman, City of Golden Public Works, Colo.
- George Martin, Greenwood Metro, S.C.
- Tyler Richards, Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, Ga.
- Thomas Sigmund, NEW Water, Green Bay, Wisc.
- Diane Taniguchi-Dennis, Clean Water Services, Hillsboro, Ore.
- Tim Wilson, Marshalltown Water Works, Iowa
Ex Officio members are:
- Lisa Daniels, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Shellie Chard-McClary, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality