1. THE POLITICS OF INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE Prioritizing Infrastructure Needs: Augusta-Richmond County’s Water and Wastewater Master Plan Mayor Bob Young Augusta, Georgia

2. THE POLITICS OF INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE Augusta-Richmond County Consolidated government January 1, 1996 Population 204,000 Second-largest city in Georgia Second-oldest city in Georgia (chartered 1736)

3. THE POLITICS OF INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE Augusta Water and Sewer Water –57,181 residential and 6,235 commercial/ industrial connections –Capacity 63 mgd Sewer –43,247 residential and 4,746 commercial/ industrial connections –Capacity 49 mgd

4. THE POLITICS OF INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE Challenges Facing Augusta Consolidation and rehabilitation of aging infrastructure Environmental challenges Sprawl Financial challenges

5. THE POLITICS OF INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE Our Approach: Master Plan Appraise condition of existing system Develop plan for moving forward Identify funding mechanisms

6. THE POLITICS OF INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE Augusta Utilities’ Mission “Our mission is to provide water that exceeds all federal, state and local regulations; and, provide wastewater service that inspires public confidence, all done in an environmentally friendly manner.”

7. THE POLITICS OF INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE The Benchmark By the year 2010 become a preferred water and sewer service provider. Become a utility that other systems will want to learn from because of the customer service value our department adds to the community.

8. THE POLITICS OF INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE Systemwide Investment

9. THE POLITICS OF INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE Wastewater Contract O&M Technical expertise Improved service Economically favorable Transfer of liability/shared risk Protection of/training for employees Lift burden from city

10. THE POLITICS OF INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE Water Design/Build Streamlined schedule Single-source responsibility Budget control

11. THE POLITICS OF INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE Summary Master-planning is critical Alternative project delivery works Best value is the way to go