Rate-Setting Essentials
August 31-September 2, 2026
Indianapolis, IN
Rate-Setting Essentials
Connecting Financial Planning, Cost-of-Service & Rate Design
This three-day in-person seminar provides an updated lens on how to evaluate and develop financial policies and proposed rates that are cost-based and equitable. Additionally, this seminar will give guidance on how to effectively communicate those policies and rate impacts to customers in these current times. The program combines time honored strategies with modern approaches to get the rate levels your utility needs to be successful, while still promoting community objectives.
Registration is Open
Indianapolis, IN
August 31-September 2, 2026
(co-located with AWWA’s Water Infrastructure Conference)
Seminar Pricing:
$1,025 – Member
$1,275 – Non-member
Who Attends
Water utility managers
Finance professionals
Rate analysts or designers
Accounting or budget professionals
Utility board members
Consultants
Municipal or regional government officials
Water rate attorneys
Quick Links
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Seminar Agenda
The program combines time-honored strategies with modern approaches to get the rate levels your utility needs to be successful, while still promoting community objectives.
Learning Objectives
- Evaluate financial policies and rate impacts
- Develop defendable policies that are fair, equitable, and objective
- Get the rate your utility needs to be successful and still promote community objectives
- Avoid rate shock by using proven techniques for capital budgeting and analysis
- Establish cost-of-service rates by applying fundamental methodologies
- Set fair revenue requirements
- Classify and allocate costs equitably
Agenda-at-a-Glance*
Day One (6.5 Education Hours)
- 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Registration Open
8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Financial Management, Policies, and Rates
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. – noon Budgeting and Financing, Key Issues
noon – 1:00 p.m. Lunch (Included)
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Considerations for Setting Utility Revenue Requirements
3:00 – 3:15 p.m. Break
3:15 – 4:30 p.m. Introduction to Cost of Service
Day Two (6.5 Education Hours)
- 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Water Cost of Service Case Study
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. – noon Water Allocation Procedures
noon – 1:00 p.m. Lunch (on your own)
1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Water Distribution Procedures
3:00 – 3:15 p.m. Break
4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Optional Session: Fundamentals of System Development Charges
Day Three (4.0 Education Hours)
- 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Wastewater Allocation and Distribution
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break (Note: we will work through the lunch hour today)
10:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Water and Wastewater Rate Design
*Subject to change
Manual M1: Principles of Water Rates, Fees, and Charges
AWWA’s Manual of Practice, M1: Principles of Water Rates, Fees and Charges manual (digital PDF) is optional for seminar registrants at no additional cost (normally $139 member, $199 non-member).
Paid registrants will receive M1 access instructions near the start date of the seminar.
JW Marriott Indianapolis
10 S West St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
As one of the largest JW Marriott’s in the world and recognized by Conde Nast as a Top Midwest hotel, welcome to JW Marriott Indianapolis. Located in central downtown, with extensive meeting facilities and near White River State Park, the hotel is the perfect location to bring AWWA attendees together. After a full day of programming, enjoy dinner and drinks at High Velocity, the city’s top-rated sports bar. Recharge in luxury with modern guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows providing panoramic views of the Indianapolis skyline.
The Seminar is co-located with AWWA’s Water Infrastructure Conference.
Hotel Reservations
Availability is limited – book early!
Indianapolis: Book your room by August 9 for the $219 group rate (or when block fills, whichever is first).
Alert: AWWA is aware of multiple unauthorized organizations contacting attendees to solicit hotel rooms. For your protection, reserve hotel accommodations using only the link provided by AWWA. Reservations made through any other housing services company cannot be guaranteed by AWWA and could result in hidden charges, unusual restrictions, or incorrect hotel placement. You may report fraudulent activity to awwaconferences@awwa.org.
Meet Our Experts
Shawn Koorn
Associate Vice President, HDR Engineering Inc
Read Bio
Todd Cristiano
Manager, Raftelis Financial Consulting
Read Bio
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Seminar Registration Cancellation Policy: AWWA must receive cancellations in writing. Phone cancellations are not accepted. All cancellations dated more than four weeks prior to seminar’s first day will receive a refund, minus a 25% administrative fee. Within four weeks of the seminar start date: cancellations will not be refunded; however, substitute registrants are welcome. Email requests for substitutions or cancellations to service@awwa.org.
