Section 6.331. Purpose

The Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force shall issue a report by October 1, 2008, that provides an analysis of the issues related to cost-effective and sustained investment in the water and sewer infrastructure of this Commonwealth, including investigation of potential funding sources and financing options with the goal of including these recommendations in the Governor’s fiscal year 2009-10 budget proposal. This report should address the following issues:

(1) The current and projected costs for the construction, upgrade, repair, operation and maintenance of this Commonwealth’s drinking water and sewage infrastructure.

(2) The projected cost savings realized by the consideration and implementation of available nonstructural alternatives.

(3) The current and projected financial resources to address water and sewer services and infrastructure needs.

(4) The current and projected gap between water and sewer service and infrastructure financing needs and available resources.

(5) The potential sustainable funding from Federal, State and local sources and public/private partnerships.

(6) The actual costs of water and sewer service, including recommendations for allocating the costs of capital investment, asset management, operation and maintenance among customers and State or Federal assistance programs.

(7) The targeting of funds to address the most serious and urgent needs of this Commonwealth, with particular focus on protecting public health and safety, maintaining recreational opportunities and encouraging continued economic development.

(8) Recommendations for legislative or regulatory changes to promote sustainable water and sewer services, including the following components of sustainability:

(i) Effective system management. Creation and implementation of business plans, workforce and management training, and development and the promotion of measures to ensure customer satisfaction and the protection of public health and the environment.

(ii) Asset management. Incorporation of accounting and business practices to assess and anticipate operational, replacement and long-term capital improvement costs, and to ensure the improvements are covered by available resources.

(iii) Efficient operation. Incorporation of water and energy conservation and system optimization to deliver cost-effective treatments that meet or exceed existing and future public health and environmental standards.

(iv) Regionalization. Integrated water resource planning and incentives for consolidation or decentralization of water systems to achieve the best scale to facilitate professional management.

(v) Maximization of nonstructural solutions. Integrating conservation, water reuse, trading strategies and comprehensive water resource planning into sewer and water infrastructure planning.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 4 Pa. Code § 6.333 (relating to staffing and expenses).