This paper uses a case study to explain how Portsmouth, Virginia, with portions of water infrastructure dating back to the late 1800s, used water utility management, operations, financial planning, and public relations to deal with its own infrastructure challenge, even in the face of multiple other problems. Even though confronted with extensive city redevelopment, a declining population, loss of jobs, and a limited tax base, the city managed to rally the support of its local government and citizens to raise rates and tackle a backlog of infrastructure projects. The city was successful because of its holistic, interactive, optimized, and well-communicated approach. As the authors point out, an infrastructure revitalization plan must be consistent with a city's overall goals and objectives, recognize rehabilitation and growth needs, include the effect of regulations, and provide a long-term financial forecasting perspective. It should also address long-term rates and competitiveness issues and provide a set of tools for ongoing planning. As Portsmouth found out, such a strategic financial plan can afford a water utility and its community several direct and immediate benefits. These include improved insight into immediate and long-term system needs, the development of good public information, alignment of utility and city programs and plans, and securing of favorable terms.
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| Number of Pages : | 9 |
| Published : | 01/01/2002 |
