New Water Green Bay's Tom Sigmund on How a Mid-Sized Utility Plans for the Future

21st Century Water

English - February 07, 2023 16:58 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MB - ★★★★★ - 2 ratings
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Previous Episode: How Kamuron Gurol is Building 3rd Generation Wastewater System in King County, WA

Next Episode: LADWP GM Marty Adams on the Future of LA's Water Systems

NEW Water in Green Bay, Wisconsin, may be a mid-sized utility. But during our interview with executive director Tom Sigmund today, you'll hear about the remarkable things they are doing to prepare for the future.

NEW Water covers 15 municipalities and over 240,000 residents. Over the next 20 years, they will implement a $470 million dollar capital improvement plan. Like many utilities, Tom sees their top three challenges as this capital improvement plan, retaining quality employees, and replacing infrastructure.

They recently made changes on the solids handling side, and their next focus will be on the liquids handling side. This includes replacing equipment that is nearing 50 years old. Their direct customers are municipalities and a couple of large businesses, including a new paper mill that recently opened.

While NEW's primary role is public health, Sigmund also believes that it has a role in economic development - helping the area attract new business. This is all done within a $49 million annual budget - $27 million for operations and $22 million for capital. Looking ahead, they rely on 15% cash financing and 85% debt financing.

They've recently added anaerobic digestion, gas recovery, and electrical energy generation, with an eye on the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act to see what opportunities could be next. In the meantime, Wisconsin's Clean Water Fund has been very helpful.

To work toward the future, there may be a 5.5% to 7% increase in rates. One of Tom's challenges is explaining that to customers, and why the short-term investment is important for long term success. When he arrived, NEW Water was, as he puts it, "out of sight, out of mind." Now communication is key - with consumers and to help recruit new talent. He talks about some of the programs they are using for that.

In today's episode we also touch on climate change, resiliency, ESG, and circular economy. He's realized he needs to focus not on being a better engineer, but a better leader.

New Water Green Bay Website: https://www.newwater.us/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/