Transcript Slide 1

Opportunities and Constraints for
Managing Water Resources and
Infrastructure in Illinois
November 17, 2011
Karla Olson Teasley
President
Illinois American Water
About Illinois American Water
•
A wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), and the largest
investor-owned water utility in the state
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Long history in Illinois - celebrated 135 years of service in Alton, IL
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Approximately 500 employees in 12 operating districts
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Regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)
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American Water national customer service center in Alton, operating 24 hours
a day
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American Water’s national water quality lab in Belleville, IL
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Illinois State Operations
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Over 120 communities and 1.2
million people served (water and
wastewater services)
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Maintenance of more than 4,300
miles of water main, some of which
was installed in the early 1900s. The
American Water system has about
49,000 miles of pipe
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About 29,000 fire hydrants are
inspected at least annually to identify
maintenance and replacement needs
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Approximately 115 million gallons
pumped a day / Nearly 41 billion
gallons pumped a year
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We care about water. It’s what we do.
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One of only six Illinois water utilities participating in the Partnership for
Safe Water program
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Collaborate with EPA in their Water Sense Program to help customers
reduce leaks
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Partner with the Great Rivers Land Trust to support the Piasa Creek
Watershed Project in Alton, IL
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Support ‘Water for People’, a non-governmental organization that supports
locally sustainable drinking water, sanitation and hygiene solutions in
developing countries where water issues are critical
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Major Issues Facing Water and Wastewater Industry
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Aging Infrastructure
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Quantity & Quality of Water Supplies
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Conservation/Revenue Erosion
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Increasing Costs/Affordability
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Changing Customer Expectations
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Increasing Regulations
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Severe Fragmentation
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2009 Capital Intensity Per Revenue Dollar
$4.50
$4.00
$3.50
$3.00
$2.50
$2.00
$1.50
$1.00
$0.50
$0.00
$3.81
$2.06
$1.63
$1.28
$1.18
$0.86
1 - Water
2 - Electric
3 - Comb E&G
4 - Gas Dist.
5 - Telcos
6 - Avg All Ind.
Source of Information: AUS Utility Reports – May
2010 Published by AUS Consultants
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Commitment to Continuous Investments
• Invested approximately $150 million in 2009 - 2010 in
infrastructure
• Over $200 million to be invested in 2011 – 2013
• Proactive main replacement program
• Largest Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system in the state
• LEED® Certified water treatment plant in Champaign IL in
2008. Only second WTP in the United States to receive
LEED certification
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Buried Infrastructure – The Challenge of Leaky Pipes
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In the United States, approximately seven billion gallons of treated
drinking water are “lost” each day primarily due to system leaks
Source: American Society of Civil Engineering: 2009 Infrastructure Report Card
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This is approximately 16% of the
nation’s total daily drinking
water production
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Chicago has recently announced a 70% rate increase over the next
four years to address upgrading its aging infrastructure and
mitigating lost water
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Solutions include the use of technology for leak detection (e.g.,
continuous read acoustic monitoring)
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Innovative Leak Detection Approach
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Creation of Water Loss Control Department
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We take a proactive approach  Leak surveys, verification/pinpointing of leaks, monitor historical flow
data and excavation history to identify problem areas
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“Fixed Network” leak detection enables our team to monitor a
service area in real time to locate leaks
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Utilize regulatory inspection process for hydrants and valves to
check for any leaks
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Statewide implementation of smart meters
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The True Cost of Water Service
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Efforts to sustain a reliable water supply and service also include
education on the true cost of water service
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Many communities charge artificially low rates that are subsidized by
taxes and other revenue sources
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The true cost of water service includes all accounting costs required
to provide service and support sustainability, including capital
attraction, financial viability and timely investments in infrastructure
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Charging the true cost of water service is endorsed by:
 Illinois EPA
 Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
 Metropolitan Planning Council
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The True Cost of Water Service (continued)
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Full-cost pricing for drinking water sends the right signal to
customers and
 Encourages wise and efficient use of water
 Promotes conservation
 Ensures the necessary funds to maintain and invest in facilities
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Measured as a percentage of household income, the U.S. pays less
for water and wastewater than other developed countries
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A fundamental shift in thinking is needed
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Water Industry Fragmentation
• Currently in the United States there are 40,000 water systems
and 17,000 wastewater systems
• Illinois has 1300 water systems and 600 wastewater systems
that serve populations less than 3,300
• Consolidation is needed to better leverage existing resources
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Challenges to Financial Sustainability: Declining
Trends in Residential Water Usage Per Customer
Energy Policy Act of 1992 (effective in 1994)
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (effective in 2006)
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (effective in 2010)
High Efficiency
plumbing fixtures and
indoor appliances
Elasticity to water
and sewer rate
increases
Customer
conservation
ethic and
awareness
Conservation
(waterefficiency)
programs
Economic
conditions
DECLINING
WATER
USAGE
PER
CUSTOMER
Decreasing
average
household size
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Impacts of Conservation Under Traditional Rate Design
• Reduced Demand = Reduced Revenue
• Most capital investment needs remain unchanged
• Maintenance of existing facilities and high percentage of fixed
costs (e.g., labor) remain the same
• Necessitates review of rate structure
Innovative rate design can unlock the economic
and environmental benefits that can be achieved
through water/energy conservation.
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Maintaining Water Utility Viability Under Conservation
• Appropriate sales forecasting for rate setting process
• Conservation pricing / rate structures
• Infrastructure Replacement Surcharge – Qualifying
Infrastructure Plant (QIP)
• Revenue adjustment clause (RAC)
• Revenue decoupling (higher fixed service charge)
• Moves to higher fixed charges require consideration of
impacts to low volume / low income customers
• H20 Help to Others Program® provides financial assistance in
paying water bills in partnership with the Salvation Army
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The Solution Going Forward
• The solution includes the various industry stakeholders
working together as partners
• Providing sustainable and financially viable water supply and
service in the future will require groups such as utilities,
regulators and customers to work together to:
 Encourage infrastructure projects and other programs that protect the
environment
 Drive public awareness of water and wastewater issues and
infrastructure needs
 Consider the need for sustainable water supply and service when
evaluating rates
 Implement mechanisms to promote revenue stability
 Educate customers on the true cost of water to build awareness of
cost drivers and reduce water waste
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