WC128 JanFeb2023 - Magazine - Page 30
UTILITIES
The difference in 2023 is that delivering on these long term
goals is running up against the changed landscape coming out of
the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected fundamental areas
of business. Utility customers are struggling with a loss of income
and a higher cost of living. High inflation and the economic
downturn are impacting capital budgets, while the Great Resignation and the lack of new skilled recruits are creating labour
shortages.
Equity is a priority to ensure that all customers have affordable water rates and receive the same level of service. CWN’s
municipal leaders shared how they are dealing with COVID-era
constraints to realize long-term goals.
Concern over the affordability of water rates
for utility customers has been heightened due
to COVID-19—a trend that is set to continue
if the forecasted global recession in 2023
is any indicator. In response to this, leaders
are exploring new rate designs and financial
structures.
“We are exploring the concept of water
equity as a lens to guide business decisions,”
says Heather Zarski, manager of integrated
planning at EPCOR. “In 2022, EPCOR established
a working group with members from the water
and drainage business units to gather and
assess socio-economic datasets, understand
equity initiatives past and present, as well as to
document future opportunities.”
Other communities are moving forward with
affordability and equity programs. In 2022, City
of Regina Council passed a motion to develop
property tax and water affordability programs
for low-income senior citizens and people living
with disabilities. “By approving an affordability
program for our water utility, the city is able to
maintain a financially sustainable utility model
while providing an increased benefit to those
residents experiencing the highest need,” says
Kurtis Doney, director of water, waste and
environment at the City of Regina.
Affordability is an ongoing challenge that has been identified
by water utility leaders. Canadian Water Network’s Rates and
Affordability Strategic Sharing Group explores strategies for
funding and designing affordability programs.
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WATER C AN ADA • JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2023
WORKPLACE SHORTAGES
Municipalities across the country are facing
staffing shortages. Attracting and retaining
talent is a significant concern, especially as
municipal work is not always attractive to those
with relevant IT skillsets to support digital
transformation in utilities.
“It is really challenging to attract talent right
now, particularly when it comes to advancing
data and technology,” says Shannon Abbott,
water utility manager at The City of Calgary.
“Municipal government is at a significant
disadvantage when competing with exciting and
innovative tech start-ups and other industries.
We can’t entirely depend on externally recruiting
for these types of roles; we also have to support
our current staff with building new skills for the
future.”
Frank Quarisa, director of wastewater
treatment at the City of Toronto agrees. “Many
engineering students go the high-tech route,”
says Quarisa. “They are not remaining in
traditional engineering positions.”
To address this challenge, the City of Toronto
is recruiting students and recent graduates from
post-secondary institutions through its co-op
engineering, operator training, and engineering-intraining programs. The City of Toronto also runs an
instrumentation training program and a millwright
apprenticeship program.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
Getty Images
AFFORDABILITY AND EQUITY
Municipalities across the country are
facing staffing shortages due to early
retirements, changing careers, and
competing industries. Attracting talent
with expertise related to data and
technology is also a concern.
