The one-page Index survey requests the average annual single-family residential sewer service charge and service population of each NACWA utility respondent as well as information on future rate changes.  The more responses NACWA receives the more representative the Index is of the wastewater treatment community as a whole, so we ask that you please complete your survey by December 19.

Complete the 2008 NACWA Index Survey by December 19

NACWA is mailing each member agency its individualized one-page survey questionnaire requesting information for 2008.  Your agency’s past survey responses (if applicable) are provided on the survey form along with the names of the person(s) who provided the information.  If historical information is missing or inaccurate, please feel free to add or modify this data directly on the survey form.  Changes will be reflected in this year’s NACWA Index. 

Please complete the survey questionnaire online at www.cleanwatercentral.org or return the hard copy via fax to Mark Hoeke, NACWA’s contractor, at 202/318-1472 no later than December 19, 2008.  In order to ensure consistency, the 2008 NACWA Index survey questionnaire should ideally be completed by the same individual who submitted information for your agency in the past (refer to attached survey form for the names of your agency’s respondents).  As always, individual agency responses are kept confidential.

Follow these steps to submit your survey response online:

1. Go to the CleanWater Central homepage at http://www.cleanwatercentral.org
2. Click on "Enter private subscribers area"
3. Enter your NACWA Member Pipeline ID (website ID) and password and then click on "login"
4. At your agency profile page, click on "Surveys" on the top menu
5. At the surveys menu page, click on 2008 NACWA Index in the active NACWA/WERF surveys box
6. Complete the brief 2008 NACWA Index survey questionnaire, and click on "Submit".  You should receive a pop-up box indicating that your responses have been submitted.  Alternatively, you may save your responses for later submittal by clicking on "Save".

Interested in past NACWA Index survey results?  Check out the "Reports" section of CleanWater Central online.  Click on the "Survey Data" reports category, and then click on the "Average Annual Household User Charge (NACWA Index)" report to view summary statistics or the distribution of service charges from past years. 

Historical data and a PDF version of your individualized survey form can be obtained by contacting Chris Hornback at NACWA’s National Office, 202/833-9106 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Service Charge Increases Outpace Inflation Rates

Last year’s NACWA Index showed that the average cost of wastewater services for a single-family residence not only increased, but outpaced inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).  The Index results also indicated that respondents have approved, planned, or expected rate increases in the range of 5.9 - 7.8 percent for each of the next five years.  Using this information, NACWA projected the percent increases and actual increases in the average service charges and found that the average rate for a single-family by 2012 could exceed $400.  NACWA believes that the steady increase in service charges since 2002 demonstrated by the NACWA Index, and the new information on planned rate increases over the next five years, are clear signs that utilities are working hard to ensure they have the necessary finances to maintain high quality service.

Your Participation Is Encouraged!

Please take a moment to complete the Index survey questionnaire either online or via the hard copy you should receive in the mail (fax completed hard copies to Mark Hoeke at 202/318-1472) by no later than Friday, December 19, 2008.  If you have any questions about the survey please contact NACWA’s contractor, Mark Hoeke at 202/361-7446 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Chris Hornback at NACWA’s National Office, 202/833-9106 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important request.


* This Member Update Has Been Provided to Affiliates for Information Purposes Only.