Utility COVID-19 Response and Long-Term Impacts

Jim Williams, the sitting AWWA President, provides an illuminating interview on the utility response to COVID-19 and what the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be. Jim addresses the basics for how utilities have responded to the pandemic, and also dives into federal legislative efforts, financial fallout and much more in a great interview. Reese Tisdale also comes on for another Bluefield on Tap to discuss the latest market developments in the water sector. In this session, you’ll learn about: The role of the President of AWWA and AWWA governance How the COVID-19 has impacted utilities in the short term How a pandemic utility response differs from a natural disaster response Strategies employed by utilities to maintain a safe and healthy workforce and protect the public health Utilities, vendors to utilities, and “essential services” under government stay at home orders Delays in utility capital programs and projects Federal legislation and money for utility infrastructure and loan programs Long-term repercussions of COVID-19, including financial repercussions, full cost of service rate recovery, and rate affordability Jim’s thoughts on how the COVID-19 pandemic will change and shape the water sector Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Jim’s LinkedIn page AWWA website AWWA’s Coronavirus Webpage TWV #146: The AWWA: Past, Present and Future with David LaFrance                                 Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate and review The Water Values Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher if you haven’t done so already. And don’t forget to tell your friends about the podcast and whatever you do, don’t forget to join The Water Values mailing list!