Water utilities have doubts about the futureJust as on the electric side of the equation, the aging infrastructure is the most pressing industry concern among water utilities, according to Black & Veatch's first Strategic Directions in the U.S. Water Utility Industry Report. Black & Veatch also publishes the annual Strategic Directions in the U.S. Electric Utility Industry Report. The electricity used to produce water can account for as much as 30 percent of a water utility's budget. "Utility leaders are continuously challenged to make the most of limited budgets – a situation truer today than just five years ago," said Cindy Wallis-Lage, President of Black & Veatch's global water business. "As a result, the vast majority of survey respondents doubt the sufficiency of their future funding to manage and maintain their systems." But they are hoping to beat the odds with more than 75 percent of respondents taking steps to reduce energy consumption within their utility operations and more than half are implementing asset management improvement programs. For more:
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