Environmental Finance Center Network

More than 50 years after the passage of the Clean Water Act, what can we learn from its impact on small communities? In this episode, Dr. Rhiannon Jerch discusses how the Clean Water Act shaped municipal finances, improved water quality, and influenced long-term community growth. We explore how small municipalities financed major wastewater infrastructure investments, the role of user fees and federal funding, and what these findings can teach today's communities as they plan for future water infrastructure challenges.

Cross-connection and backflow risks may not always be obvious, but they can pose serious threats to drinking water systems and public health when left unaddressed. In this episode, Alice Kilkelly from the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center speaks with Elizabeth Belezaire, Water Quality Analyst at the Board of Water Supply for the City of Mount Vernon, New York, about the city’s efforts to strengthen its cross-connection control program. Over the past year, Mount Vernon has worked to move beyond paper-based systems, build a more complete inventory of backflow prevention devices, and improve communication with businesses and residents about their role in protecting water quality. The conversation offers practical insights for utilities and communities looking to start or strengthen their own cross-connection control efforts.
 
Learn more about Mount Vernon’s Cross Connection Control Program today by visiting: https://www.mountvernonny.gov/2055/Cross-Connection-Control-and-Backflow-Pr

Small water systems face many of the same regulatory requirements and financing complexities as larger utilities, but with fewer staff and resources to manage them. In this episode, we examine how finance professionals can effectively navigate the landscape of federal funding opportunities available to small water systems.Joined by finance expert Kevin Wachtel, Senior Manager at GFOA, the discussion addresses key funding sources including federal grants and loan programs as well as critical considerations for evaluating and selecting among financing instruments. Additionally, the conversation explains the importance of financial readiness, long-term capital planning, and the strategic role of debt financing in supporting essential infrastructure investments.
This Podcast offers valuable insights for finance leaders seeking to strengthen their utility's financial position and ensure the sustainability of vital water infrastructure.
Additional Resources:
10 Steps to Developing Utility Rates

PFAS are increasingly being detected in drinking water systems across the country. In this episode, Dr. Li explains what PFAS are, how they enter our water supplies, current regulations, risks to communities and private well owners as well as actionable measures individuals can implement within their households to mitigate the presence of these pollutants.

In this episode of the Environmental Finance Center Network podcast, hosts Anthony Craven and Eric Williams are joined by Bill Moody of the Mississippi Department of Health’s Water Division and David DeWitt of Taylor Power Systems. Together, they share practical guidance for water utilities on maintaining regulatory compliance and responding effectively during emergencies. Drawing on real-world experience, the conversation focuses on severe weather events, prolonged power outages, and steps utilities can take to prepare, respond, and recover while continuing to protect public health.