What is one way to improve a public water supply's financial status?

Conducting regular water audits is an effective strategy to enhance a public water supply's financial status. Water audits enable facilities to assess their water usage comprehensively, identify leaks, and reduce wasteful practices. By understanding exactly where water is being used and where losses are occurring, system operators can implement targeted interventions to conserve water. This leads to reduced operational costs and improved efficiency in water delivery. Additionally, minimizing water loss through audits can translate to lower treatment costs and increased revenue by maximizing the volume of water provided to customers.

Other options could undermine financial stability. For instance, hiring more staff may increase operational costs, and increasing water rates indiscriminately could drive customers to reduce their consumption or seek alternative sources of water. Reducing system capacity could lead to decreased availability of water, potentially harming the community and leading to a loss in revenue. In contrast, conducting water audits offers a proactive approach to ensuring the sustainability and financial health of the water supply system.