Water Utility Administration in Waukesha, Wis.: Fid-Bau Portal

Water Utility Administration in Waukesha, Wis.

Kuranz, Joseph H.

This article discusses water utility administration in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin state laws are based on the following concepts: private and municipal utilities should be operated strictly in accordance with sound business practices; that while a municipality may own and operate a public utility, it does so not as a function of government but rather in a proprietary capacity; and, that both municipally owned and privately owned utilities can operate successfully under the same set of laws and regulations as administered by the Public Service Commission. Within the laws and regulations of the Public Service Commission, certain variances exist between municipally owned utilities throughout Wisconsin. The Waukesha Water Utility operations follow the ideal quite closely. There are areas, however, where administrative efficiency could be improved by simply amending some sections of the city ordinances. An organizational chart of the Waukesha Water Utility Commission is included in the article and is discussed in terms of span of control, municipal relations, line of authority, major decisions, communications, personnel, and public relations.