AWWA JAW63839

Since 2004, AWWA has conducted the State of the Industry survey to take the pulse of the water industry, compiling detailed and comprehensive data about critical issues and concerns. This year, more than 2,000 utility representatives, service providers, and other professionals in the United States and Canada contributed to the 2006 survey. Respondents rated the top five critical issues facing the industry as infrastructure, regulatory factors, business factors, source water supply and protection, and workforce. This was the first time that workforce issues, i.e., retaining and replenishing water industry personnel, edged into the top five, with many respondents citing it as an inadequately addressed area. Meanwhile, security concerns have declined steadily over the three years of the survey. AWWA gathers this information annually to help its members and the water community identify overarching concerns, overlooked issues, and the soundness of the industry. With these data, the industry can revise and fine-tune its agenda to help ensure its continued growth and success. Includes tables, figures.