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

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

3. 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

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

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

6. Tribal Utility Challenges

8. 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
commonalities-best-practices-tribal-communities.pdf

9. Common Traits of Sustainable Tribal Utilities
1) Maintain Utility Independence

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

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

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

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

14. Common Traits of Sustainable Tribal Utilities
6) Subsidize the Utility

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

16. Common Traits of Sustainable Tribal Utilities
8) Identify Savings Opportunities

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

18. Final Questions
See Handout for List of Additional Resources