19366_Authority_August

By Dwight Hoare, Manager, St. Marys Area Water Authority M unicipal authorities face increasing challenges every year. Aging infrastructure, workforce constraints, regulatory requirements, emergency response obligations, and rising customer expectations all require utilities to accomplish more with limited resources. Meeting these challenges requires more than dedicated staff and sound management. It requires strong partnerships with trusted associate members who provide the equipment, expertise, technology, and support that help authorities operate efficiently and effectively. Throughout my career, I have found that some of the most successful projects are not defined by the products purchased, but by the relationships developed. The ability to work with vendors who understand our operations, respond to our needs, and remain committed to our long- term success is invaluable. PMAA provides an excellent environment for developing these relationships by bringing together authority professionals and associate members who share a common goal: helping municipal authorities provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective service to their communities. The conversations that begin at conferences, workshops, and networking events often develop into partnerships that benefit authorities for many years. One example is our relationship with 1MARK TM , a Pennsylvania-based technology company focused on improving the management of Pennsylvania One Call (811) tickets and utility response workflows. Like many authorities, we continually look for ways to improve operational efficiency while maintaining high levels of service. Traditionally, managing 811 tickets involved emails, phone calls, spreadsheets, and paper records. After the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission assumed enforcement responsibilities under the One Call law, these manual processes became more difficult to manage and created opportunities for delays, missed notifications, and potentially significant financial penalties.