Establishing a Successful and Sustainable Waterworks
Establishing a Successful and Sustainable Waterworks: Revenues, Rates, and Funding
August 25 - 27, 2026 - Roanoke, Virginia
Registration Deadline: August 15, 2026
Course Fees
$150 per person with lodging
$100 commuter
Continuing Education Units
22 contact hours
In the present economic climate, it is critical that waterworks personnel understand and implement a business plan that allows for an analysis of needs, budget development, and capital improvements. As a part of the planning process, one needs to consider the appropriate rate structure for a community, potential sources of grants or low interest loans, and communication with decision makers and the public. All of these subjects will be covered through lecture, class discussions, and hands-on computer activities.
Participants will receive 22 contact hours for successful completion of this course. A digital certificate will be awarded approximately 14 days after the end of the course.
Course fee includes all course materials, daily breakfast and lunch, and one networking dinner.
- Staffing & Operating Analysis
- Budget Development
- Capital Inventory, Assess, and Planning Practices
- Capital Budget Docs / Fixed-Variable Costs & Allocation of Costs
- Strategic Planning Prior to Capital Planning
- Capital Planning, Rate Comparisons, & Developing Rate Structures
- Dinner follows class
- Preparing Preliminary Engineering Reports (PER)
- Cost Estimating & GIS as a tool for Asset Management
- Leak Detection / Improving Water Loss
- Outside Resources - USDA Rural Development
- Sampling and Compliance: DCLS Perspective
- Readiness to Proceed
- Communications with Decision Makers and Public Relations
- Continuity of Operations Plans
- Components of a Successful Funding Application
- Finding Outside Resources and Expertise
- Waterworks Business Operations Plan
Schedule may change; registrants should watch their emails for any important updates.
More Information
Questions about the course:
Contact Lucas Kintz, Program Specialist, Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education, at lkintz@vt.edu.
Information about registration:
Please contact Continuing and Professional Education by email: cpeinfo@vt.edu or phone: 540-231-5182.