AWWA JOINT53603

Recent regulatory changes related to watershed management have dramaticallyelevated local governments' responsibilities for construction of major capital improvements, implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs), and reporting on environmental indicators and program cost-effectiveness. These elevated requirements will impose significant financial and operational challenges for many organizations. Yet unlike traditional utility services, for which service rates and organizational structure are generally established and well-accepted, stormwater management functions today are often a financial and organizational stepchild in local governments. This paper suggests that the effective mandate for stormwater utility services presents a unique opportunity to achieve efficiencies and enhance public communications. Using a system of integrated information management tools, built in a web browser format, utilities can integrate their various functions and realize unprecedented economies. This paper outlines the functionality of a virtual stormwater utility wherein all major utility management responsibilities are coordinated and executed through a customized web-based application. Includes figures.