Financial Services & Management
A new and challenging economy for utilities
The success of your water utility is often judged on how well you avoid financial turmoil¡ªwhile still investing in your assets and delivering great service. Our financial services practice teams understand that challenge, and we¡¯re ready to work with you.
Access to consistent and affordable utilities is critical for maintaining health, safety, and overall well-being. For low-income families, utility stability is not just a convenience, but a necessity. That is where WARi? (Weighted Average Residential Index) comes in. WARi? highlights affordability issues in different neighborhoods and income levels. It calculates the average bill for each area and compares it to local incomes, helping cities set fair fees and understand financial burdens.
Let¡¯s work together to identify difficulties in advance, analyze your options, and plot the course for a safe arrival at your future¡ªfor your business and for the public that you serve.
Customizing water budgets for individual irrigation users
The Toho Water Authority provides potable and reclaimed water for irrigation purposes. And in 2017, the Authority hired us to help develop water budgets for their irrigation accounts. The old, inclining block rate structure was deemed inappropriate as it had significant variations in irrigation needs between different accounts. To move toward better, more equitable rates, we helped Toho become the first water utility in Florida to define individual irrigation account budgets based on acreage, crop type, soil type, beneficial rainfall, evapotranspiration data, and irrigation efficiency. Read MoreFair and sustainable stormwater fees
The City of St. Petersburg is required to convey and treat stormwater runoff before it enters local bays and surface waters. To cover the costs of this requirement, the city charges user fees based on the amount of impervious surface found on properties. Single-family residential properties are charged a flat fee, while all others are charged a fee based on their unique amount of impervious area. As part of a recent utility rate study, the city expressed an interest in looking at the feasibility of a residential fee structure based on ranges or tiers of impervious area to better correlate to the volume of stormwater created by different residential properties. Read MoreData-driven affordability insights with WARi?
Stantec¡¯s WARi? (Weighted Average Residential Index) employs a proprietary methodology to address water affordability issues. It evaluates customers by census tracts, looking at income distribution and estimating the impact of bill changes over time. Through affordability analyses, scenario planning, and data-driven insights, WARi supports communities in managing financial challenges while providing affordable access to essential services.Featured News
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Andrew Burnham, Vice President, Management and Technology Sector Leader
I take pride in presenting complex information in a way that community leaders can understand and comfortably share with their stakeholders.
Carol Malesky, Principal, Financial Services
I love when my client¡¯s reach for what seems to be an unattainable goal and we go after it¡ªand succeed!
William (Bill) Zieburtz, Director
Successful communities can only thrive when essential infrastructure meets the fundamental needs of public health, the environment, and local economies.
David Hyder, Principal
When a community needs financial guidance, we provide a customized solution¡ªnot a cookie cutter approach.
James Bearman, Principal, Water
I create sustainable financial solutions for municipal water, sewer, electric and natural gas utilities in Michigan and across the country.
Benjamin Stewart, Managing Consultant, Water
My favorite work is when a client says, ¡°I have X data and I¡¯m wondering Y,¡± and it¡¯s up to you and your team to help them connect the dots.
Jeremy Bess, Senior Economist
Through plans grounded in concrete data and analysis, I¡¯m committed to helping clients navigate the turbulent waters of decision making.
Patrick Luce, Senior Economist
I¡¯m passionate about using data-driven stories that inform and provide actionable insights, giving clients confidence in decision-making.
We¡¯re better together
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Partner with us today to change how tomorrow looks. You¡¯re exactly what¡¯s needed to help us make it happen in your community.
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Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.