Page 68 - Urban water supply handbook

Source: URBAN WATER SUPPLY HANDBOOK

CHAPTER 2
STRATEGIC PLANNING

FRAMEWORK FOR

SMALL WATER SYSTEMS

Janice A. Beecher
Institute of Public Utilities
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Peter E. Shanaghan
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C.

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Strategic planning is a disciplined effort to guide an organization’s future in terms
of its purpose, structure, and functions. Strategic planning for small water utilities
is not unlike strategic planning for small organizations in general (public, private,
or nonprofit). Of course, the inputs and outcomes of the planning process are spe-
cific to the essential nature of supplying drinking water to the public.
The imperative for strategic planning by water systems has never been clearer.
As the twenty-first century dawns, the drinking water industry in the United States
finds itself in a period of rapid and tumultuous change. Much of the basic water
utility infrastructure in the United States is reaching the end of its useful life and
must be rehabilitated or replaced. Development of new water supply sources is
becoming increasingly difficult, and great emphasis is being placed on protecting
source waters from contamination. Drinking water utilities are facing unprece-
dented and increasing competitive pressure. Ongoing implementation of the 1996
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) includes a flurry of new or tightened regulatory
standards. Finally, public expectations have never been higher both in terms of
product quality and service quality.

2.1
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