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General Manager’s Report December 18, 2019 2
Protect Our Resources 3
Climate Change – The New Normal Climate change is here: The New Normal • • GM/CEO Carla Reid gave keynote presentation at Chesapeake Water Environment Association Outlined WSSC Water’s approach: Assess, Adapt and o Alleviate Will impact WSSC Water: cost, operations, talent • development, training, customers • Rob Taylor will provide detailed update on efforts ASSESS ADAPT ALLEVIATE 4
Tubular Triage at Triadelphia More than 30 volunteers removed thousands • of protective tree tubes over 3 days Plastic tubes protect newly planted trees from deer o Trees are large enough and plastic is breaking apart o • Multiple tree plantings occurred in 38 acres of retired farm land between 2008 and 2010: WSSC Water facility maintenance o Montgomery County Job Corps o ICC Mitigation project o Tree plantings are part of ongoing efforts to • protect drinking water supplies 5
Learning From THE Leader WSSC Water hosts delegation from West Bank • • Provided overview of WSSC Water & toured Seneca Water Resource Recovery Facility Learn wastewater treatment best practices o Tour part of International Visitor Leadership • Program U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and o Cultural Affairs Designed to build mutual understanding between o U.S. and other countries 6
The Scoop on COOP • Kicked off planning to update Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Last updated in 2014 o Building block for more resilient utility • Identifies essential functions and plans for their o continuation during an emergency • Multi-phase project – not a plan that sits Regular updates, training and exercises o 7
WSSC Water is #WinterReady • Held annual winter ready prep meeting o Included Utility Services, Police and Homeland Security, Communications, Production, Customer Service, Fleet Services, Materials Management, Facilities Maintenance o Enhance coordination and communication • WSSC Water Crews busy with early cold snap o November 2019: Repaired 285 breaks & leaks • Proactive outreach to media: stories in November reached over 2.5 million viewers o Advertisement equivalent of about $300,000 8
#WinterReady Coverage 9
Optimize Infrastructure 10
Brassie Way is Done! 11
Data Center Move • Massive effort to move WSSC Water Data Center equipment o Clear obstructions, separate cabling, install fire suppression • Nearly 60 technicians worked around the clock to move center and troubleshoot issues • Several internal and external- facing applications impacted • Close coordination to ensure customers were aware of impacts. 12
Spend Customer Dollars Wisely 13
AAA Rating for AAA Utility • Once again earned AAA bond ratings from all three financial rating agencies: o Fitch Rating, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investor Service • Rating reflects strong financial record • Allows WSSC Water to borrow money at lower rates. 14
Bonds… Green Bonds • Sold $50 million in Green Bonds on Dec. 12 o Major Milestone: WSSC Water’s first Green Bonds sale o Part of $219 million bond sale • Green Bonds fund projects that protect the environment or address climate change • WSSC Water Green Bonds projects: o Potomac Water Filtration Plant (WFP) Consent Decree o Potomac WFP Pre-Filter Chlorination & Air Scour Improvements o Large-Diameter Water Pipe & Large-Valve Rehabilitation Program 15
Fiscal Year 2021 Preliminary Proposed Budget Update • Total FY’21 Preliminary Proposed Capital and Operating Budget = $1.462 billion o Proposed Capital = $606.7 million o Proposed Operating = $856.2 million • Proposed rate increase = 7% o County Councils approved Spending Affordability Guidelines with 7% rate increase limit o Customer impact = $15.27 for family of three using 55 gallons per person / per day o No changes on fixed fees • Next steps o Preliminary Proposed Budget transmitted to Counties by January 15 for public hearing purposes. o Public hearings set for January / February 16
Enhance Customer Experience 17
World Class Customer Service “…we want to highlight Mr. Stewart's consistent efforts on our behalf to solve problems…. . From our perspective, he is a miracle worker and WSSC's most valuable asset.” 18
Can the Grease Holiday Can the Grease outreach and proactive media • November 25-29 o December 19-25 o • Paid TV and Radio (English/Spanish) Comcast TV: ESPN, HGTV, CNN, USA, TNT o iHeart Radio stations: WASH, WBIG, El-Zol, DC 101 o • Proactive Earned TV and Radio WJLA-TV 7 o WTOP Radio News o
Can the Grease Spot 20
Transform Employee Engagement 21
Come in Unity Update • Topics: o Employee survey results o Feedback o Strategic Plan o Innovation update • Positive changes coming from meetings • Two meetings remain: o Consolidated Laboratory o Potomac WFP 22
#H2OPeople Holiday Party! • Great #H2OPeople turnout • Celebration of our commitment to deliver the essential o Zero drinking water quality violations • 2020 focus: Collaboration
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Questions? 25
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