Ten primary trends and their implications for water utilities

This article provides an overview of the top ten water utility future trends identified through an assessment of the literature, interviews with public water supply community leaders, and a futures workshop featuring futurists and scenario planning exercises. Utilities can use the discussion of thes...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal - American Water Works Association 2005-07, Vol.97 (7), p.64-77
Main Authors: MEANS, EDWARD G., OSPINA, LORENA, PATRICK, ROGER
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Automation
Baby boomers
Buildings. Public works
Climate
Community
Competitive advantage
Economies of scale
Environment
Exact sciences and technology
Future
Futures
Information technology
Infrastructure
Management
Population growth
Potable water
Public policy
Public utilities
Security
Strategic management
Strategic Planning
Studies
Succession planning
Sustainable development
Trends
Utilities
Utilities costs
Utility rates
Water management
Water Policy
Water quality
Water Supply
Water supply. Pipings. Water treatment
Water utilities
Workforce
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Summary:This article provides an overview of the top ten water utility future trends identified through an assessment of the literature, interviews with public water supply community leaders, and a futures workshop featuring futurists and scenario planning exercises. Utilities can use the discussion of these trends, including aging infrastructure, advancing technology, climate changes, and increased security risks, as guidelines during strategic planning. On the basis of the findings of this trends assessment, the authors conclude that future utilities will likely be operationally efficient, be engaged in the community, and integrate water management, treatment, environmental sustainability, and public policy decisions in a way that leverages regional opportunities and relationships and economies of scale.
ISSN:0003-150X
1551-8833
DOI:10.1002/j.1551-8833.2005.tb10933.x