As a second step in the process of reviewing the widely used water utility management framework – the Ten Attributes of Effective Utility Management and Five Keys to Management Success (EUM) – two webinars have been scheduled for October to obtain the widest possible input on possible revisions in light of new challenges facing today’s water industry.
EPA, AMWA and the other water and public works associations that originally sponsored development of the management framework in 2007 convened a group of utility and state leaders over the summer to provide an initial review and make preliminary recommendations. The group was asked to identify key shifts in operating contexts that have emerged to influence the water sector over the past eight years. They identified changes in areas including: automated and “smart” systems and data integration; climate variability and extremes; customer expectations and public awareness; employee recruitment and retention; resource recovery; regulatory requirements and operating conditions; and stormwater and watershed management.
The webinars are intended to open the review process to a wider group within the water industry. Registration is online for both sessions: Webinar 1 is scheduled for October 15, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET, and Webinar 2 for October 20, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. ET.