Too Small to Succeed: State-Level Consolidation of Water Systems

Jessica Norriss, Maureen Cunningham, Anthony R. DeRosa, and Dr. Sri Vedachalam recently published a journal article in American Water Works Association about the role of consolidation for water systems to better meet compliance requirements and manage their water supplies.

US water utilities deal with significant challenges such as aging water infrastructure, climate change, staffing, and maintaining water quality. Through a survey of state drinking water administrators we examined reasons for, barriers to, and alternatives to consolidation, as well as the nature of state involvement in the process.