Developers Coming Your Way Fast
Developers Coming
Your Way Fast
Go to Order Page
Remember when adding five new connections was a busy year? When development happened only to the large utilities? When fire flows weren't even discussed? Today, thousands of mid-sized and smaller water and wastewater utilities find developers at their door, along with an engineer and attorney. Those developers want action, now.
What spurs them on? A robust economy, aging baby boomers seeking rural tranquility and low interest rates lead the list. The result: Residential subdivisions and commercial/business developments popping up in what was a soybean field just six months ago.
Development is a double-edged sword. Yes, it brings new tax base, jobs and customers. But it can also bring risks. Those risks range from developers not paying their fair share, to legal challenges because the system didn't adhere to its policies and ordinances. Many of the smallest systems have no policies.
Boards/councils, development is the new frontier. It brings your system into the cross-hairs of three huge national issues: Economic development, quality of life and environmental protection. That's why so many eyes watch what your system does or doesn't do. Your errors and omissions may end up before a regulatory agency, court of law, or for sure the court of public opinion.
Thirty in-depth interviews were conducted nationally with utilities, developers and industry experts. Special appreciation goes to Jason Green, General Manager and Program Specialist, Oregon Association of Water Utilities, for his insights and sharing of association materials. Many thanks go to the persons interviewed.
Final thanks go to Rich Becker, Becker Design, Prairie Village, KS for the layout and cartoons that have gained national approval for the entire Water Board Bible series.
Developers: Coming your way fast! is dedicated to the thousands of water and wastewater systems now in the development game. Its high stakes include the major items in our culture: Money, power, jobs and prestige.
We hope this handbook helps you, the owner, to set up an effective working relationship with developers. Your community is counting on that relationship to help achieve its desired future. When done right, the partnership between utility and developer will result in jobs and quality of life that your children and grandchildren will enjoy.
Ellen G. Miller
Elmer Ronnebaum

Quality on Tap
To view examples of how the Quality on Tap logo can be used, please click on a thumbnail below to view a larger picture.
Open for Registration
ARWA Annual Technical Training Conference
Mar 17-20 in Mobile
Register Now!
System Check Up and Operator Training (W)
Feb 21-Vernon
Feb 26-Enterprise
Apr 11-Summerdale
Learn More
Wastewater Process Monitoring & Control (WW)
Mar 7-Enterprise
Learn More
Understanding and Complying with Sanitary Sewer Overflow Permit Requirements (WW)
Apr 25-Atmore
May 16-Jemison
Learn More
Water University
Utility Management Certification
Learn More
Schedule your own
On-site CEH Training
Earn CEHs
Plan for future training!
Training Calendar
New! To provide our members with additional protection, we have implemented a Secure Certificate on our website. This authenticates the ARWA website and encrypts transmitted data such as name and contact information. You will see a lock symbol, a green color, or the https:// secure protocol in the address bar of your browser.
Pay Online
Pay any ARWA invoice online.
Pay Online
Water Loss Protection
The ARWA/NRWA ServLine Program protects your utility against losses from customers’ water leaks, and provides the opportunity for them to add service line repair replacement protection. Learn more.
ARWA
Alabama Rural Water Association is a non-profit organization representing water and wastewater systems serving rural communities and towns and commercial firms which support these systems.
We provide assistance to comply with State and Federal regulations, to help with management and operational problems, and to stimulate training initiatives.
GET IN TOUCH
Alabama Rural Water Association2576 Bell Road
Montgomery AL 36117
Phone: (334) 396-5511
Fax: (334) 396-7090
Email: arwa@alruralwater.com
Website: www.alruralwater.com