Making the Right Choices for Your Utility

Using Sustainability Criteria for Water Infrastructure Decision Making

Building from EPA's Planning for Sustainability Handbook, this guide provides more detail on steps water sector utilities can take to use sustainability criteria in the actual comparison of various infrastructure alternatives using an Augmented Alternatives Analysis (AAA) method. These sustainability criteria are based on a Triple Bottom Line approach (environmental, economic, and social) and can augment more traditional criteria which are based largely on cost considerations.

• Making the Right Choices for Your Utility: Using Sustainability Criteria for Water Infrastructure Decision Making (pdf) (2.59 MB)
• Fillable Companion Worksheets: These worksheets will help you take each step in the Augmented Alternatives Analysis infrastructure planning process. The worksheets collate your step-by-step input to help you derive the best choice for your utility. They should be used with the Making the Right Choices for Your Utility planning guide for maximum benefit. 
  • AAA Worksheets (pdf) (2.9 MB)
  • AAA Excel Worksheets (xlsx) (1.9 MB)
• Case Studies: EPA undertook three pilot projects working with different organizations and their communities and stakeholders. Using an augmented alternatives analysis approach, each project used sustainability criteria to compare infrastructure alternatives based on the triple bottom line approach of environmental, economic, and social criteria. The Camden County Municipal Utility Authority worked to identify an optimal and cost-effective mix of green and gray infrastructure to support its Combined Sewer Long-Term Control Plan. The High Line Canal Conservancy worked with 11 water jurisdictions to address stormwater issues and enhance recreational opportunities along the 71-mile-long High Line Canal. The Saco, Maine, Water Resource Recovery Department (WRRD) focused on long-term planning to improve resilience to extreme weather events, high tides, periods of high precipitation, and storm surges. These case studies demonstrate how organizations in very different contexts applied the AAA process to reach their goals.
  • Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority: A Wet Weather Case Study of Incorporating Community Interests into Effective Infrastructure Decision-Making (pdf) (1.31 MB)
  • High Line Canal Conservancy and Saco WRRD (pdf) (2.8 MB)

Incorporating Community Priorities into Investment Decision Making

EPA’s Water Infrastructure Planning Tool

This presentation describes how EPA’s water infrastructure planning tool can help utilities engage communities and make cost effective multi-benefit investments.

• EPA's Water Infrastructure Planning Tool (pdf) (5.32 MB)

Augmented Alternative Analysis

This presentation provides an overview of the Augmented Alternatives Analysis (AAA) infrastructure planning process with highlights from planning participants, the Highline Canal Conservancy in Colorado, and the Water Resource Recovery Department in Saco, Maine.