Rate-Setting Essentials
TBD
2026 Coming Soon

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.
Thanks for attending!
Our September 2025 session sold out! Stay tuned for 2026 dates.
Dates & Location:
September 15-17, 2025
Rosen Centre Hotel
Orlando, Florida
Registration Fee:
$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
Schedule 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
M1 Principles of Water Rates, Fees, and Charges
AWWA’s M1 Principles of Water Rates, Fees and Charges manual (digital PDF) is provided to seminar registrants at no additional cost (normally $136 member, $199 non-member).
Paid registrants will receive M1 access instructions near the start date of the seminar.
Meet Our Experts

Shawn Koorn
Associate Vice President, HDR Engineering Inc
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Todd Cristiano
Manager, Raftelis Financial Consulting
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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.