Water Support Services
Rindt-McDuff Associates (RMA) offers reliable water support services regardless of the type or stage of the project. RMA’s water support services are beneficial to municipalities or government authorities. We can help early or late in the process with preliminary planning, cost estimating, project funding alternative planning, bidding services, construction project management, and construction observation.
Master Planning Water Support Services
Planning and budgeting is the only way to achieve success with community water. Residential growth can undoubtedly impact your ability to supply water or treat wastewater. In addition, large manufacturers or industrial customers can require thousands of gallons of water and sewer services from your system, which immediately stretches your ability to provide services.
There are three fundamental questions that a master plan should answer:
- What do we need to do?
- When do we need to do it?
- How are we going to pay for it?
RMA can help answer all these questions by working with your team to develop a water support services plan. The plan will analyze population trends, land use, zoning, economic factors, and other pertinent data. This information will provide the basis for defining your short-term and long-term needs. Finally, we complete the plan with schedule and funding alternatives for infrastructure improvement projects.
Bidding & Contract Administration
When it is time to put a contract out to bid, it is essential to have someone advocate for you. The company providing this service should be familiar with infrastructure projects, contractors, and the construction process. In addition, the bid form should be clear and concise to get the best prices for the work.
RMA has experience with projects, bid forms, and regional contractors. We can be a great asset as you move forward with water projects. Whether it is reviewing a contractor’s relevant project experience, references, or assembling the bid package to obtain reasonable value construction prices, RMA can be your experienced and knowledgeable advocate.
Construction Management Water Support Services
It is paramount to have the depth and breadth of experience with infrastructure projects when building the project. Many municipalities or authorities lack the expertise and workforce to oversee construction activities adequately. It is critical to ensure that the project is built soundly and according to the project plans and specifications.
RMA has extensive experience with construction management and oversight in the following areas:
- Watermain Replacements
- Construction of New Water Treatment Plants
- Wastewater Pump Stations
- Gravity Sewer
- Wastewater Treatment Facilities
- Stormwater Improvements
Water Funding Assistance
RMA has an excellent track record of assisting clients with funding alternatives for infrastructure improvement projects. Many of our clients would not have been able to afford to do the work without the loan and grant programs we submitted for them. RMA’s extensive experience with many different agencies and programs has undoubtedly benefited most of our municipal clients.
Rate Studies
Rate studies or utility rate analysis can be valuable to municipalities or authorities that own and operate water and sewer systems. Over the years, maintenance and operation costs rise while the system depreciates and becomes dilapidated. Failure to reduce expenses or increase revenues inevitably leads to significant system expenditures without supporting the needed improvements.
Rate Studies Water Support Services
RMA rate studies go into great detail to identify and quantify all of the costs incurred for water and sewer service. The rate study includes the following water system expenses:
- Operational and Maintenance Costs (Pumps, Mains, Valves, Treatment Equipment)
- Treatment of Drinking Water, Plant Expenses
- Electrical Power Cost
- Chemical Costs and Other Supplies
- Labor Direct/Indirect Expenses
- Office and Support Expenses
RMA gathers expense information such as amounts, the cost of water produced, and the cost of water sold (for starters). We do this to look for ways to reduce expenses. When all expenses are secured, the study can focus on rates and revenue. Concluding, the study offers several different rate structures based on water customer classification and total consumption. RMA helps to structure recommended rate tables to generate the revenue necessary to operate the water system. Rate studies must be done carefully to avoid negative political pressure or significant customer outcry.
If your system has required more repairs and maintenance over the last few years, please contact RMA. We might be able to help you with our rate study.
What’s Next?
If you need help with your water projects, click the link below to be connected with one of our seasoned engineers.