The Challenges of Water Infrastructure in the Central Appalachia Region of the United States

Researchers at the University of Kentucky and West Virginia University have been studying problems associated with small rural water systems in the central Appalachian region of the United States for the last decade. After interacting with 145 small utilities, they have identified several problems that are likely similar to other small rural utilities in isolated and mountainous areas across the country. This paper provides both quantitative and qualitative metrics for use in evaluating these problems as well as possible recommendations for addressing such challenges. Among the problems discussed are system (distribution, collection) complexity, economic sustainability, infrastructure stability, workforce development, utility governance, and federal funding inequities and inefficiencies. Recommendations include regionalization, privatization and consolidation of systems, consolidation of services (centralized facility to serve multiple utilities), and various legislative proposals. Additional research is also recommended to identify specific indicators that can be used to identify or predict systems at risk or systems that have become unsustainable so that preemptive actions can be initiated to help prevent a continuing downward spiral toward system collapse or financial insolvency.