Austin Thompson of the University of North Carolina’s Environmental Finance Center joins us to discuss challenges with and innovations in small utility systems. Austin tackles the primary issues and challenges faced by smaller systems and informs us of some innovations taking place in smaller systems that are making a positive impact. In this session, you’ll learn about:

• The primary challenges smaller systems face
• How small systems deal with big capital needs and a small customer base
• How small systems deal with water quality challenges
• How topography presents challenges for smaller systems
• How populations density impacts smaller systems
• Some of the strategies to address these challenges
• How water kiosks help small systems
• How topography challenges created an innovative energy production opportunity for a small system
• The role training plays in providing innovations to smaller systems

Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include:

• Austin’s bio page on the UNC EFC website
• UNC EFC’s website
• Appalachian Regional Commission website
• TWV #047: The Ups and Downs of Environmental Finance with Jeff Hughes                           

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