Contract Operations
Contract operators provide expertise and infrastructure investment to local governments that need help operating and investing in their community water and wastewater systems. While local governments have dozens of competing priorities, providing exceptional water service is the sole focus of contract operators.
Contract operators have a proven track record of investing in infrastructure and delivering high quality water, yet activists still make false and misleading claims against local government engagements with the private sector for the professional operation of their community water and wastewater systems.
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH AMERICA’S WATER PROFESSIONALS
Water companies provide local governments with access to the certified engineers, operations specialists, and management professionals necessary to provide excellent, reliable water services to the public.
Many local governments face urgent water infrastructure needs that they cannot address on their own. Water companies provide access to private capital markets, enabling infrastructure investments to occur that otherwise would likely be deferred.
Contract engagements with water companies dictate performance metrics that must be met in order for the company to get paid. These terms cover everything from staffing and treatment protocols to infrastructure investments. In addition, water companies take on responsibility for meeting state and federal water quality standards and are held responsible for any penalties resulting from noncompliance.
Private sector operation of drinking water systems results in significantly higher rates of compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) water quality standards.
As systems become increasingly complex and costlier to own and operate, smaller public water systems may find it challenging to meet certain regulatory requirements. Water contract operators can centralize and share costs to achieve economies-of- scale for services like billing, customer service and water testing and for purchases of equipment, tools, chemicals, and other materials.
While local governments have dozens of competing priorities, providing exceptional water service is the sole focus of water professionals.
