Water Supply and Waste Water Districts in Suburbia

Formation of water and sewer districts in a highly urbanized area composed of fourteen separate cities are described. The water districts have encouraged the orderly development of this rapidly expanding area in the following ways: (1) the ability of the district to finance large major improvement projects when such improvements are needed; (2) the main extension policies of the District which assure recovery of the original investment or deposit by the developer through refunds after customers are connected to the mains; and (3) the practice of constantly studying and reviewing the projected needs of the District. The waste water districts use the following methods: (1) the ability of the Districts to meet varying conditions of development; (2) the ability of the Districts to plan and finance on a major watershed basis; (3) one central administration for all Districts permits an economical operation as well as uniform rules, regulations, and other requirements; and (4) the ability of the Districts to finance enlargements of collection and treatment facilities by a resolution of the governing body without additional elections or petitions.