Increase Utility Revenues Without A Rate Increase

摘要

In tight economic times, utilities must search for ways to operate more efficiently in order to lower costs and increase revenue flow. Accurate metering and billing can be a powerful tool that provides a major boost to a company’s bottom line. Water and wastewater utilities lose hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to theft, leakage, unbilled customers, poor collection processes, and inflow/infiltration problems. Revenue is also lost to inefficient operations, poor distribution-system design, and inadequate forecasting. While tampering, leakage, and over- and under-utilized equipment can be difficult to identify, the effort to pinpoint and correct these problems can reap rewards for the company. Regular review of the water and sewer system, service territory, and billing information can help to reduce system loss, ensure accurate billing, and enhance revenue flow. Those in the utility industry recognize that increasing revenue provides capital dollars to maintain and improve service quality, provide adequate operating and maintenance coverage, make improvements to infrastructure, and maintain a sound financial position. Taking steps to improve operations of the utility is a valuable way to increase revenue without increasing rates.