THE ON GOING SAGA OF THE SMALL WATER UTILITY

1. NARUC SUMMER MEETINGS 2008 THE ON GOING SAGA OF THE SMALL WATER UTILITY INITIATED BY DAVID R. MONIE P.E. PRESENTED BY ROGER M. HALL

2. NARUC SUMMER MEETINGS 2008 SMALL SYSTEMS HAVE FALLEN FROM FAVOR • They were the backbone of the industry • They met the needs of many communities for years • Mergers and Purchases to form larger system • Took the conveniently located and viable systems • Many remaining utilities are small systems that are not convenient, not always desirable or are not readily available for acquisition

3. NARUC SUMMER MEETINGS 2008 SMALL SYSTEMS • Will continue to be part of the the industry and will be an on going concern to Regulators and the Industry • Some have said: “The only good small system is the one that has just been acquired” or • “the only good small system is the dead small system”

4. NARUC SUMMER MEETINGS 2008 NOT ALL SMALL SYSTEMS ARE BAD • Many have maintained a high standard of regulatory compliance and service

5. NARUC SUMMER MEETINGS 2008 GOOD OR BAD SMALL SYSTEMS DO OFFER A CHALLENGE FOR BOTH REGULATORS AND WATER MANAGERS • The issue has been on the agenda of many NAWC and NARUC conferences over the past years • It also occupies much of the time of the Regulators Without much having been accomplished

6. NARUC SUMMER MEETINGS 2008 HOWEVER IN THE PAST YEAR SOME STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN • The NRRI (NATIONAL REGULATORY RESEARCH INSTITUTE) has completed a “White Paper” researching what Commissions are doing to better regulate small systems by Melissa J. Stanford. • This effort has resulted in a proposal by David Denig - Chakroff, Director, Water Research and Policy “Certification Requirements As a Path to Improve Small Water Utility Operation”

7. NARUC SUMMER MEETINGS 2008 LETS NOT LOSE THE MOMENTUM The Small Systems Committee of NAWC Would like to call for • A SMALL SYSTEMS WORK GROUP (SSWG) with representatives of: • NARUC (probably at the Staff level, not necessarily members of the staff subcommittee) • NAWC Small Companies Committee • National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) – Already one volunteer

8. NARUC SUMMER MEETINGS 2008 The Small systems work Group • The group would hopefully consist of • a Group small enough to be workable • Representatives of as many different Jurisdictions or Regions as practical • With approximately four or five from NAWC

9. NARUC SUMMER MEETINGS 2008 THE GOAL OF THE “SSWG” • Come up with recommendations of “Best Practices” in both Regulation and Management for small systems • Propose piloting of possible Regulatory Practices that are identified as “Best Practices” • This could be as simple as follow-up to existing regulatory practices already in place • Stepping outside the box for some new ideas • with the potentially of Piloting new ideas • Establish proposals that could be endorsed by both NARUC and the NAWC

10. NARUC SUMMER MEETINGS 2008 SSWG WOULD OPERATE • By conference calls and E-Mails, used to discuses opinions and ideas – No Budget • According to the rules established at its first conference call • According to time tables set up at the first conference call • Steps defined during the first conference call

11. SSWG WOULD CONSIDER NARUC SUMMER MEETINGS 2008 • Various items and would not be restricted to any pre-arranged agenda. Items could include: • Rate case procedures • The high cost ($100 - $500) of rate processing on a per customer basis • Certification Requirement Improvements • Incentives for Consolidation