EPA has developed a Resource Guide to Effective Utility Management and Lean based on input and examples from several utilities. The guide explains how utilities can use these two important and complementary approaches to reduce waste and improve overall efficiency and effectiveness. Effective utility management provides a common management framework to help water and wastewater systems build and sustain the technical, managerial and financial capacity needed to ensure sustainable operations.

On November 8, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. ET, EPA will host a webcast to explore the connections between Effective Utility Management and Lean tools. Lean methods combined with the effective utility-management framework have enabled water and wastewater utilities to save millions of dollars, avoid customer rate increases, improve product quality, enhance customer service, reduce energy costs and environmental pollution, and improve employee morale.