WaterVision Conference
UNC Environmental Finance Center
May 22, 2008, Research Triangle Park, NC
EFC hosted this statewide conference to help local elected officials prepare for the water challenges ahead.

New Models for Utility Partnerships (pdf)
North Carolina Rural Water Association
May 14-15, 2008, Greensboro, NC
A presentation on new models for utility partnerships.

What Georgia Customers are Paying for Water (pdf)
2007 Georgia Rural Water Association Fall Conference
October 28-30, 2007, Helen, GA
This presentation described the results of a rates study for more than 80 percent of the public and non-profit water and sewer systems in Georgia that serve more than 50 accounts. A customer expenditure model developed by EFC calculated water and sewer bills for any consumption amount. Statewide statistics were generated graphically, and individual utility bill amounts were tabulated for every survey respondent.

Initial and Long-term Financing of Decentralized and Cluster Systems (pdf)
18th Annual On-Site Sewage Treatment and Disposal Conference
January 17-18, 2007, Auburn, AL
This talk was structured on the recent experiences of the coastal North Carolina Communities of Pine Knoll Shores and Nag’s Head, both of which are low to medium density communities with no centralized sewer system that are looking for new ways to address the threat posed to public health and the local environment by poorly managed, privately owned septic systems and package plants.

Asset Management and Capital Planning workshop
UNC Environmental Finance Center, NC American Water Works Association and NC Water Environment Association (NC AWWA-WEA)
September 7, 2006, Huntersville, NC
EFC co-sponsored this workshop with NC AWWA-WEA. The workshop provided participants with information and skills to perform long range capital project planning both for building new facilities and for renewing and replacing existing facilities.

Water and Wastewater Finance panel
Georgia Environmental Conference
August 16-18, 2006, Savannah, GA
EFC coordinated this panel session at the first annual Georgia Environmental Conference. During the session, EFC associates presented on the different options available for financing water and wastewater projects in Georgia. Other speakers addressed the funding programs offered by Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority and water rate structures and how they affect a utility’s income and financial planning.

Advancing Asset Management in Your Utility: A hands-on workshop
UNC Environmental Finance Center workshop
April 18-19, 2006, Chapel Hill, NC
This workshop was centered on case-based mentoring by asset management practitioners. The workshop focused on demonstrating, step-by-step, how a utility would select and deploy best appropriate asset management practices.

Water Utility Rates 201
NC American Water Works Association and Water Environment Association (NC AWWA-WEA)
February 28, 2006, Durham, NC
EFC gave a presentation on how to develop a rate structure at this NC AWWA-WEA training. The training covered advanced issues surrounding rate and fee setting affecting water and wastewater utilities in North Carolina.

Multi-Level Financial Analysis of Residential Water and Sewer Rates (pdf)
Conference Paper (pdf)
National AWWA/WEF Joint Management Conference
February 14, 2006, Salt Lake City, UT
EFC presented to a national conference on the methodology and results of the water and wastewater rates survey in North Carolina. The methodology presents a breakthrough in rates survey research.

The Painful Art of Communicating Information About Rates (pdf)
North Carolina American Water Works Association and North Carolina Water Environment Association (NC AWWA-WEA) Customer Service Seminar
October, 2005, Wilmington, NC
A presentation on communicating rate information. This workshop provided utility managers and customer service professionals from the office and the field a chance to learn new ways to address the everyday challenges and opportunities presented in dealing with customers.

EFAB Affordability Workshop
Center for Environmental Finance, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
August 2004
EFC is a part of the federal Environmental Finance Program. This program has three main components: The Environmental Financial Advisory Board ( EFAB), the Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN), and the Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN). Through its involvement with the Environmental Finance Program, the EFC has been involved in this Affordability Workshop.
Click to see the agenda and to access the presentations.

Governmental Accounting Standards Board: Statement 34 workshop
Asset Management and Reporting: A practical guide for utility and municipal managers
UNC Environmental Finance Center, NC American Water Works / Water Environment Association
February 19, 2002, Chapel Hill, NC
In June of 1999, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board issued Statement 34. GASB 34 will apply to all basic financial statements for state and local governments, and will undoubtedly have the single largest impact ever on the accounting procedures adopted by state and local governments. In February 2002, the EFC co-sponsored a workshop on GASB 34 focused on integrating GASB 34 requirements with existing water and wastewater infrastructure asset management and reporting techniques. Approximately 50 representatives attended the workshop from local governments, utilities, consulting firms, and state oversight bodies.