A Utility Leader's Perspective: “Falling Behind Is Not an Option”

Abstract

It is the first place we go.” A colleague had just reached a milestone in a significant utility project and was calling me to talk about it. “David, AWWA is the first place we go when we are stuck and need to connect to the right networks and the best technical material. Thanks—AWWA really came through for me and my customers.” Her comments were helpful reminders of how AWWA makes a difference for its members. In this case, we connected my colleague to some of our technical materials and water sector experts; AWWA does that a lot. The combination was just what she needed for a successful outcome. My colleague, the general manager of a Pacific Northwest water and sewer utility, had several other points, a few of which—especially as we are wrestling with so many unknowns—I want to share with you because I think they are good reminders for all of us. “In the water profession,” she said, “people care about each other, help each other, and share knowledge with each other. The AWWA standards, manuals, and publications are like gold for us. They are a repository where the water community has shared its expertise to create sources of knowledge that benefit all water professionals throughout time,” she continued. “This is especially important in difficult times—like right now.” AWWA offers 70 manuals of water supply practice and, for more than a century, has provided the water community with its standards, which include 189 product and management standards. Both are created by committees of water experts, with the intended audience being the water community. Each of these golden best-practice resources undergoes a rigorous review process to ensure reliability. And now manuals and standards are transitioning to digital platforms so that they can be accessed from any device at any time. This is especially helpful while many of us are working from home. “Also, I appreciate that AWWA is there for us in all stages of our careers,” my colleague added. “What I need as a general manager is different from what younger water professionals need. That is why my utility buys memberships for our younger employees—I want them to engage, build networks, and learn from others. Part of my job, after all, is to ensure that the next generation is prepared.” For a decade now I have met with AWWA Young Professionals. My colleague is right—I, too, have seen them grow professionally and form strong professional networks that will serve them throughout their water careers. Frankly, today's young and younger professionals are experts at growing with AWWA; they leverage every opportunity they get. It is common for them to share the news of their career advancements and tie their achievements to what they have learned as an AWWA Young Professional. I mentioned to my colleague that I was concerned that in times such as now, when budgets are tight, employers would decide to save money by suspending memberships for their employees. “It is true that in difficult times, leaders have to make difficult decisions,” she replied, “but because the sustainability of water service is critical to the communities we serve, we must constantly have access to the most important and current water policies, practices, and technical knowledge—if we don't, we will be behind the curve. In multiple ways it is membership in AWWA that helps with this and as a result, our utility is better able to serve our customers. Membership is essential because falling behind is not an option.” I also received good news from one of AWWA's Canadian utility members. This time the success story involved how AWWA's personal support, along with our technical and policy resources, was critical in seeking regulatory authority to use rate revenue to pay for the removal of the private portion of a customer's lead service line. You might wonder how AWWA's guidance on lead service lines helps a Canadian utility since it doesn't have to comply with the US Environmental Protection Agency's Lead and Copper Rule? The information that AWWA provides on lead service lines is generally applicable anywhere because it focuses on best practices and AWWA's core principle of protecting the public's health. Certainly, the specifics of the policy should be adjusted for local conditions, but that is often the case in the United States as well. I hope you find these stories of AWWA's value to the success of your work to be as refreshing as I do. I realize that the challenges we are facing today are not like those of any other time. And I want to assure you that AWWA will continue to be there with you—whenever you need us.