DENVER, April 29, 2005 -- Water utilities have a new tool to help them improve performance as they meet new regulations, address consumer demands and manage escalating costs. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) announces a webcast to reveal highlights from the industry's first benchmarking report and show participants how benchmarking can help affect positive change and improve performance in their organization.
The webcast, "Applying Benchmarking Performance Indicator Data at Your Utility" will be held May 18, 2005, at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 10:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. The Benchmarking Performance Indicators Survey and Analysis report for water and wastewater utilities will be published in June 2005.
The report is the result of a survey of more than 200 utilities, with basic statistics and analysis for each of the 22 indicators. The report also includes analyses and discussion based on geographic location, type of operations (water, wastewater, combined), and population served.
In response to interest expressed in the Benchmarking report, AWWA's 2006 Sourcebook, a resource guide to water industry products and services, will add a benchmarking listing for consultants.
Utilities also will have the opportunity to learn more about the report at AWWA's Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE) in San Francisco in June. The free Benchmarking Participating Utilities Forum - Helping Utilities to "Apply Benchmarking Performance Indicator Data at Your Utility!" will be held June 11, from 1-5 p.m. at the San Francisco Marriott, Golden Gate Hall, Salons A2/A3.
Meanwhile, webcast speakers May 18 will include AWWA executive director Jack Hoffbuhr; Terry Brueck, vice president of EMA Inc.; Jim Patterson, vice president of Columbus Water Works (Ga.), and Dr. Linda Paralez, president of Demarche Consulting.
Participants will:
* Gain valuable insight into the operating performance of more than 200 water and wastewater utilities in North America.
* Learn how to compare their utility's performance with other utilities of the same size, geographic location, and type of operations.
* Learn how to establish an important baseline of performance measurement.
They'll also be able to purchase the Benchmark report at a discount. The report must be purchase at the time of registration to take advantage of the offer.
Established in 1881, AWWA (www.awwa.org) is the oldest and largest nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to safe water in North America. It has over 57,000 members worldwide and its 4,700 utility members serve 80% of America's population. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the entire water community.
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