Water Resources Economics

Promoting the Value and Price of Water Service

Water Resources Economics

Promoting the Value and Price of Water Service

Delivering water sustains life and is vital to ensuring people and economies can survive and thrive. Building, maintaining and operating the systems that move water from the source to homes and businesses requires resilient water supplies and sound finances.

Water Resources Economics provides the insight and expertise to help clients develop long-term strategies to secure the financing needed to meet current and future needs. From rate studies to financial plans and compliance, see how we can ensure your organization has the resources to keep your organization on a secure financial path for generations to come.

Expert Financial Planning and Counsel

  • Water Rate & Financial Strategy

    • Rate Strategy & Design Developing fair, transparent, and defensible rate structures that sustain service reliability.
    • Cost-of-Service & Equity Analysis — Ensuring every customer class pays its fair share—grounded in data and transparency.
    • Rate Benchmarking & Market Comparison — Evaluating where your agency stands—regionally and statewide.
    • Independent Rate Study Review — Providing objective evaluation that builds confidence with boards and regulators.
    • Proposition 218 Compliance & Public Process — Guiding agencies through every step—from cost justification to hearing preparation.

    Water Rate & Financial Strategy

    • Rate Strategy & Design Developing fair, transparent, and defensible rate structures that sustain service reliability.
    • Cost-of-Service & Equity AnalysisEnsuring every customer class pays its fair share—grounded in data and transparency.

    • Rate Benchmarking & Market ComparisonEvaluating where your agency stands—regionally and statewide.

    • Independent Rate Study ReviewProviding objective evaluation that builds confidence with boards and regulators.

    • Proposition 218 Compliance & Public ProcessGuiding agencies through every step—from cost justification to hearing preparation.

  • Financial Planning & Capital Investment

    • Long-Range Financial Planning Aligning budgets, reserves, and capital priorities to support long-term agencies.
    • Capital Investment & Business Case Development — Strengthening justification for major projects with data-driven financial narratives.
    • Growth & Development Impact Studies — Designing capacity and connection fees that keep growth self-funding and equitable.
    • Affordability & Community Impact Assessment — Balancing fiscal responsibility with accessibility for all customers.
    • Customer Assistance Program Design — Helping agencies support vulnerable households while maintaining financial health.

    Financial Planning & Capital Investment

    Long-Range Financial Planning

    Aligning budgets, reserves, and capital priorities to support long-term agency goals.

    Capital Investment & Business Case Development

    Strengthening justification for major projects with data-driven financial narratives.

    Growth & Development Impact Studies

    Designing capacity and connection fees that keep growth self-funding and equitable.

    Affordability & Community Impact Assessment

    Balancing fiscal responsibility with accessibility for all customers.

    Customer Assistance Program Design

    Helping agencies support vulnerable households while maintaining financial health.

  • Governance, Communication & Oversight

    • Billing System Audit & Forensic Review Uncovering errors, improving accuracy, and restoring customer confidence.
    • Board & Stakeholder Facilitation — Building alignment and understanding through expert-led workshops.
    • Leadership Communication Coaching — Empowering staff and directors to speak with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
    • Agency Representation & Fiscal Advocacy — Protecting your agency’s financial position in complex negotiations and partnerships.
    • Expert Testimony & Litigation Support — Providing credible, defensible expertise in water rate and finance proceedings.

    Water Rate & Financial Strategy

    Rate Strategy & Design

    Developing fair, transparent, and defensible rate structures that sustain service reliability.

    Cost-of-Service & Equity Analysis

    Ensuring every customer class pays its fair share—grounded in data and transparency.

    Rate Benchmarking & Market Comparison

    Evaluating where your agency stands—regionally and statewide.

    Independent Rate Study Review

    Providing objective evaluation that builds confidence with boards and regulators.

    Proposition 218 Compliance & Public Process

    Guiding agencies through every step—from cost justification to hearing preparation.

Expert Financial Planning and Counsel

  • Rate Strategy & Design — Developing fair, transparent, and defensible rate structures that sustain service reliability.
  • Cost-of-Service & Equity Analysis — Ensuring every customer class pays its fair share—grounded in data and transparency.
  • Rate Benchmarking & Market Comparison — Evaluating where your agency stands—regionally and statewide.
  • Independent Rate Study Review — Providing objective evaluation that builds confidence with boards and regulators.
  • Proposition 218 Compliance & Public Process — Guiding agencies through every step—from cost justification to hearing preparation.
  • Long-Range Financial Planning — Aligning budgets, reserves, and capital priorities to support long-term agencies.
  • Capital Investment & Business Case Development — Strengthening justification for major projects with data-driven financial narratives.
  • Growth & Development Impact Studies — Designing capacity and connection fees that keep growth self-funding and equitable.
  • Affordability & Community Impact Assessment — Balancing fiscal responsibility with accessibility for all customers.
  • Customer Assistance Program Design — Helping agencies support vulnerable households while maintaining financial health.
  • Billing System Audit & Forensic Review — Uncovering errors, improving accuracy, and restoring customer confidence.
  • Board & Stakeholder Facilitation — Building alignment and understanding through expert-led workshops.
  • Leadership Communication Coaching — Empowering staff and directors to speak with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
  • Agency Representation & Fiscal Advocacy — Protecting your agency’s financial position in complex negotiations and partnerships.
  • Expert Testimony & Litigation Support — Providing credible, defensible expertise in water rate and finance proceedings.

Client Results

“An exceptional asset”
“Over the years, Sanjay Gaur has been and continues to be an exceptional asset for my agency. I have collaborated with Sanjay for almost 15 years and have appreciated his original thinking, his preparedness, and his ability to facilitate technical discussions and quickly respond to detailed questions in a clear articulate manner. I first met Sanjay soon after I became Chair of ACWA’s Finance Committee and during my 10 years as Chair, Sanjay’s expertise was a source of support for ACWA members, as he led training sessions at ACWA’s semi-annual conferences.Sanjay is a strong communicator supported by sharp analytical skills and a solution-focused attitude. His insight has been appreciated by my Board and gained him respect as our ‘go-to’ resource.”
JOSEPH PARKER, Director of Financial Services, Placer County Water Agency
“Comprehensive knowledge”
“I have had several opportunities to work with Sanjay Gaur on utility financial planning over the last eight years, and I greatly appreciate his comprehensive knowledge of utility financial planning and rate-making principles and practices.  He works collaboratively with his clients, understands the difference between analysis and policy decisions, and facilitates effective engagement of utility staff, governing board policy makers and community interests in financial planning and rate-making processes.  Working with Sanjay is a strategy that any agency can use to ‘up their game’ when it comes to the challenging public policy issues many utilities face today.”
ROSEMARY MENARD, Water Director, City of Santa Cruz
“A consummate professional”
“I first worked with Sanjay back in 2007 when he developed a cost allocation plan for our water and sewer enterprises. Since that time, we have used his services for development of enterprise fund reserve policies and for water and sewer rate studies.  Sanjay is the ‘go-to guy’ in Orange County for these kinds of services. He is a consummate professional who is extremely knowledgeable and easy to work with. I have seen Sanjay make numerous presentations and I have always been impressed by his skills as a public speaker. Sanjay is politically savvy and realizes the local government environment we have to work in. I highly recommend him.”
KEN DILLS, Administrative Services Manager-Public Works, City of Huntington Beach
“Proven industry insight”
“For more than a decade Sanjay has provided wisdom to our agency in the formulation of water rates and capacity charge policies. His intelligence, personable character, and proven industry insight have benefitted us greatly.”
KEVIN MASCARO, Assistant General Manager/CFO, Western Municipal Water District
“Key to our success”
“Sanjay played a critical role in getting our District on a solid financial footing through development of our financial plan and a 5-year rate increase strategy. His ability to explain the District’s financial needs to both our governing Board as well as a very engaged public was key to our successful implementation of a sustainable financial program.”
JACK BEBEE, General Manager, Fallbrook Public Utility District
“A critical team player”
“I have known Sanjay Gaur for over 15 years. As the General Manager of Western MWD, he assisted the District with developing a water budget rate structure, which was successfully implemented. We transitioned from a uniform rate to a detailed water budget, which is data intensive, required a new billing system, and significant coordination within the agency, with the Board and the District’s stakeholders. Mr. Gaur was a critical team player and contributed greatly to the success of the program. Lastly, Mr. Gaur has assisted numerous agencies in implementing rate structures that meet the Proposition 218 requirements and successfully withstand court challenges. I appreciate the foresight and rigor he brings to his work.”
JOHN ROSSI, Former General Manager, Western Municipal Water District
“Creative solutions to solve even the most complex financial situation”
“Sanjay Gaur has a unique ability to take complex financial data and present it in a way that the data is understandable to elected officials, agency staff and the public. He tells you what you need to hear financially and presents creative solutions to solve even the most complex financial situation.”
KEVIN HUNT, Former General Manager, Municipal Water District of Orange County and Central Basin Municipal Water District
“Robust financial planning”
“I have worked with Sanjay for almost 10 years. He has assisted the City in developing financial plans, cost of service and associated rates every two years. His insight on both the technical and policy aspects has fostered the development of the appropriate rate structure for our community. The robust financial planning has greatly assisted us in having minimal political outcry on rate adoption. Lastly, he has worked with staff in conducting City Council presentations, which are highly receptive by City Council and the public.”
CLIFF FINLEY, Director of Public Works, City of Thousand Oaks
“Achieving your organization’s goals and objectives”
“Having worked with Sanjay a number of times, I can say that he is a great companion on the journey of achieving your organization’s goals and objectives while keeping Proposition 218 requirements in mind. If you aren’t sure what you want, he’ll walk you through alternatives and be clear about pros and cons. If you know where you want to go, he will make sure you get there.”
SOPHIA SKODA, Finance Director, East Bay Municipal Utility District

Recent Successes

Presentations & Thought Leadership

Sharing Wisdom

See our expert team provide expert insight on water provider finances.

3 Views on How Drought Impacts Water Utility Finances

See a lively discussion on how drought and water policies impact water utility finances.

The Water Challenge: Doing More with Less

Changing environmental conditions are altering rain patterns and affecting how water is captured and stored. This discussion explores how water pricing can adjust to ensure resilient supplies.

The Future of Water in Southern California

This conversation explores the long-term impacts of droughts and options to adjust rates to meet changing needs.

2012 San Gabriel Valley Water Forum

Explore retail water trends and approaches to rates and pricing.

Expert Advice

Since the 1990s, Water Resources Economics and its team of experts have provided insight to dozens of published articles. See why we are widely regarded as industry leaders.

Expert Advice

Decades of Consulting Experience

Sanjay Gaur

Founder/President

Mr. Gaur possesses 25 years of financial and rate consulting experience to water and wastewater utilities. He has provided consulting service to more than 100 different agencies, including some in the Caribbean region. He often provides insight into utility rate and conservation-related matters for various publications, including authoring articles in Journal AWWA (American Water Works Association) and being quoted in various articles in newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times.

He has co-authored several industry guide books, including AWWA’s Manual M1 Principles of Water Rates, Fees and Charges, Seventh Edition, AWWA’s Water Rates, Fees, and the Legal Environment, Second Edition, and Water and Wastewater Finance and Pricing: The Changing Landscape. He is a member of the AWWA’s Rates and Charges Committee. Mr. Gaur was a Peace Corps volunteer in Bulgaria. He has an M.S. in Applied Economics from University of California (UC) Santa Cruz and an MPA/ID from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Meet our Team

Charles Diamond
Principal Consultant

Nancy Phan
Principal Consultant

Hannah Phan
Principal Consultant

Grace Hunzicker
Analyst

Elijah Mountjoy
Public Speaking Coach

Decades of Consulting Experience

Sanjay Gaur

Founder / President

 

Mr. Gaur possesses 25 years of financial and rate consulting experience to water and wastewater utilities. He has provided consulting service to more than 100 different agencies, including some in the Caribbean region. He often provides insight into utility rate and conservation-related matters for various publications, including authoring articles in Journal AWWA (American Water Works Association) and being quoted in various articles in newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times.

He has co-authored several industry guide books, including AWWA’s Manual M1 Principles of Water Rates, Fees and Charges, Seventh Edition, AWWA’s Water Rates, Fees, and the Legal Environment, Second Edition, and Water and Wastewater Finance and Pricing: The Changing Landscape. He is a member of the AWWA’s Rates and Charges Committee. Mr. Gaur was a Peace Corps volunteer in Bulgaria. He has an M.S. in Applied Economics from University of California (UC) Santa Cruz and an MPA/ID from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Meet our Team

Charles Diamond
Principal Consultant

 

Nancy Phan
Principal Consultant

Hannah Phan
Principal Consultant

Grace Hunzicker
Analyst

Elijah Mountjoy
Public Speaking Coach

Work With Us

Are you ready to take the next step? Reach out to book a consultation and find out how Water Resources Economics can help your organization.