Examples of Sustainability Lessons Learned on Managing a Successful, Sustainable Water or Wastewater Utility

Agenda Introduction of our Panel Members Introduction to the Federal Infrastructure Task Force (ITF) Discussion – Common Traits of Successful and Sustainable Utilities

Panel Members John Wheaton, Emergency Management Planner, Nez Perce Tribal Nation Ken Norton Director, Hoopa Valley Tribe and Chair of the National Tribal Water Council. Shaun Livermore, Utility Manager & Operator with the Poarch Bank of Creek Indians John Nichols, Alaska Rural Utility Collaborative Manager, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

ITF Overview Sheila Frace - Deputy Office Director, Office of Wastewater Management, US EPA

What Makes a Utility Sustainable? Addressing and Overcoming Challenges Faced by Tribal Utilities – Especially Those Serving Small Communities.

Tribal Utility Challenges

Commonalities Analysis Case Studies - What Makes a Tribal Utility Successful? Navajo Tribal Utility Authority Tohono O’odham Utility Authority Alaska Rural Utility Collaborative Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Squaxin Island Tribe Nez Perce Tribe https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-07/documents/summary-of- commonalities-best-practices-tribal-communities.pdf

Common Traits of Sustainable Tribal Utilities 1) Maintain Utility Independence

Common Traits of Sustainable Tribal Utilities 2) Train and Retrain Operators

Common Traits of Sustainable Tribal Utilities 3) Run the Utility as a Business

Common Traits of Sustainable Tribal Utilities 4) Establish a Fair Billing and Collection System

Common Traits of Sustainable Tribal Utilities 5) Educate Consumers and the Tribe

Common Traits of Sustainable Tribal Utilities 6) Subsidize the Utility

What Makes Small Utilities Successful? 7) Manage the Utility Proactively

Common Traits of Sustainable Tribal Utilities 8) Identify Savings Opportunities

Common Traits of Sustainable Tribal Utilities 9) Build Trust and Accountability

Final Questions See Handout for List of Additional Resources