By Emma Grace Copenhaver, Project Analyst, UNC Environmental Finance Center Septic tank failure is a growing yet frequently underreported problem in the United States. A 2020 Water & Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WWMEA) report estimates that nearly half of … Read more
By Megan Doherty, Project Analyst at the UNC Environmental Finance Center Did you know that, for every US home, at least 60,000 gallons of water is stored in water mains?* If customers had to pay utilities for this stored … Read more
By Emma Copenhaver, Project Analyst at the UNC Environmental Finance Center State Revolving Funds, or SRFs, can be attractive for many utilities because they offer low-interest loans for expensive capital improvement projects. SRFs provide financing for drinking water projects … Read more
By Kathryn Obenshain, Project Analyst, & Hope Thomson, Project Director at the UNC EFC Providing environmental services can be expensive, and how those services are paid for is important. Often, recipients of those services, the customers, directly support the costs. … Read more
Post by Julia Cavalier, Senior Research Project Director at UNC Environmental Finance Center Lead service line inventories are required by the Revised Lead and Copper Rule. Systems with distribution lines built after lead was banned are likely grateful as … Read more
Post by Anna Patterson, Project Director at the UNC EFC and Erin Riggs, Executive Director at the UNC EFC With the holidays right around the corner, water and wastewater utilities are once again thinking to the new year … Read more
Post by Kathryn Obenshain, Project Analyst at the UNC Environmental Finance Center The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) became law on August 16, 2022 intending to limit the effects of inflation and lower the national deficit. The law is broad … Read more
Post by Evan Kirk, Project Director at the UNC EFC The EFC has been partnered with the US EPA since August 2021 to develop resources and lead workshops designed to assist municipalities and state permitting authorities in getting … Read more
Post by Delia Wegner, Graduate Research Assistant at the UNC EFC What is a Capital Improvement Plan? Paying for the rehabilitation, replacement, and upgrades of water and wastewater equipment is an ongoing issue for utilities of all sizes. Like … Read more
Post by Elsemarie Mullins, Project Director at the UNC EFC Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs) are often offered as a solution to providing water to low-income customers as well as meeting the revenue requirement of a utility. With the need … Read more
