Georgia Utility Manager Examination
Georgia (GA) Utility Manager Certification
1. What is the primary role of a utility manager in a Georgia municipal or county
water/wastewater system?
ANSWER : A utility manager oversees the daily operation, regulatory
compliance, financial health, and long-term planning of a water or wastewater
system. This includes supervising operations and maintenance staff,
coordinating with elected officials or a governing board, managing budgets and
capital projects, and ensuring the utility meets all state and federal
requirements while providing safe, reliable service to customers.
2. Explain the difference between an enterprise fund and a general fund as it
applies to a Georgia utility.
ANSWER : An enterprise fund is a self-supporting accounting structure in
which utility revenues, primarily from user rates, cover the full cost of
operations, maintenance, debt service, and capital improvements, separate from
tax-supported general fund activities. A general fund, by contrast, is financed
through taxes and covers non-utility municipal services; commingling the two
can mask the true cost of service and create audit or bond-covenant problems.
3. What is a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and why is it important for a utility?
ANSWER : A CIP is a multi-year schedule identifying major infrastructure
projects, their estimated costs, funding sources, and priority order, typically
covering five to ten years. It allows a utility manager to plan rate increases, debt
issuance, and grant applications proactively rather than reacting to emergency
failures, and it demonstrates fiscal responsibility to bond rating agencies and
regulators.
4. Describe the role of the utility's governing body (city council, county commission,
or authority board) in setting policy.
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, Georgia Utility Manager Examination
ANSWER : The governing body adopts rates, approves budgets and major
contracts, sets broad policy direction, and holds ultimate accountability to the
public, while the utility manager implements those policies through day-to-day
administration. A clear division between policy-setting and operational
execution helps avoid political interference in technical decisions and keeps the
utility financially and operationally sound.
5. What is an asset management program and what core elements should it
include?
ANSWER : An asset management program is a systematic approach to
inventorying, condition-assessing, and prioritizing maintenance or replacement
of infrastructure assets to maximize service life at the lowest lifecycle cost. Core
elements include an asset inventory, condition and criticality assessments, a
risk-of-failure analysis, a funding strategy, and a documented level-of-service
target.
6. Why is succession planning important for a utility management team?
ANSWER : Succession planning ensures continuity of operations when key
personnel, particularly certified operators and senior managers, retire or leave,
by identifying and training internal candidates ahead of time. Without it, a
utility risks losing institutional knowledge, certification coverage required by
law, and operational stability during leadership transitions.
7. What is the purpose of an organizational chart in utility management, and what
should it show?
ANSWER : An organizational chart clarifies reporting relationships, chains of
command, and areas of responsibility so that employees and the public
understand who is accountable for specific functions. It should show positions
from the governing body down through the utility director, division supervisors,
and field or plant staff, along with any interdepartmental coordination points.
8. Define public-private partnership (P3) as it might apply to a Georgia water or
wastewater utility.
ANSWER : A public-private partnership is a contractual arrangement in which
a private firm designs, builds, operates, or finances all or part of a public utility
function while the public entity retains ownership and ultimate regulatory
responsibility. Georgia utilities sometimes use P3 arrangements for large
treatment plant upgrades or specialized operations to access private capital or
expertise while limiting direct public debt.
9. What key performance indicators (KPIs) should a utility manager track to
evaluate system performance?
ANSWER : Common KPIs include water loss or non-revenue water percentage,
main break frequency, sanitary sewer overflow counts, customer complaint
volume, billing accuracy, days of cash on hand, and regulatory compliance rate.
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, Georgia Utility Manager Examination
Tracking these metrics over time allows the manager to spot trends, justify
budget requests, and demonstrate accountability to the governing body and
ratepayers.
10. Explain the concept of level of service (LOS) in utility planning.
ANSWER : Level of service defines the standard of performance a utility
commits to delivering, such as minimum water pressure, maximum response
time to a main break, or acceptable frequency of service interruptions. LOS
targets guide capital investment decisions and give the governing body and
public measurable expectations against which utility performance can be
judged.
11. What is the role of a utility's standard operating procedures (SOPs), and how
should they be maintained?
ANSWER : SOPs document the approved, step-by-step methods for routine and
emergency tasks so that operations remain consistent regardless of which staff
member performs them. They should be reviewed and updated periodically,
whenever regulations or equipment change, and made readily accessible to
operators, with training records kept to show staff have been instructed on
current versions.
12. Why should a utility manager maintain relationships with the Georgia
Environmental Protection Division (EPD)?
ANSWER : EPD is the primary state regulator for drinking water and
wastewater permits, inspections, and enforcement in Georgia, so a cooperative
working relationship helps the utility stay informed of rule changes, resolve
compliance issues before they escalate, and access technical guidance. Proactive
communication with EPD district staff also builds credibility that can be
valuable during permit renewals or enforcement negotiations.
13. What is the difference between a water authority and a municipal water
department in Georgia?
ANSWER : A water authority is typically an independent special-purpose
governmental entity created by state legislation with its own board, bonding
authority, and dedicated revenue, operating somewhat separately from a city or
county government. A municipal water department is a direct division of city or
county government, subject to the same council or commission that oversees
other municipal services and budgets.
14. Describe the purpose of an emergency operations plan (EOP) for a utility.
ANSWER : An EOP outlines the utility's roles, responsibilities, communication
protocols, and resource needs for responding to emergencies such as
hurricanes, floods, power outages, or contamination events. It ensures staff
know their assignments in advance, coordinates with local emergency
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, Georgia Utility Manager Examination
management agencies, and helps the utility restore service quickly while
protecting public health.
15. What is meant by 'regionalization' or consolidation in the context of small
Georgia utilities?
ANSWER : Regionalization refers to combining the operations, management, or
infrastructure of multiple small water or wastewater systems into a single
larger entity to achieve economies of scale, stronger technical capacity, and
improved financial stability. Georgia EPD and USDA Rural Development often
encourage regionalization for undersized systems that struggle to meet
compliance or funding requirements on their own.
16. What records retention responsibilities does a Georgia utility manager have?
ANSWER : Utility managers must retain operational, financial, and compliance
records, including monitoring results, maintenance logs, personnel
certifications, and billing records, in accordance with state records retention
schedules and EPD requirements, which for many water quality records extends
several years or longer. Proper retention supports audits, litigation defense, and
historical trend analysis.
17. Explain the concept of a utility's mission statement and its practical value.
ANSWER : A mission statement articulates the utility's core purpose, such as
providing safe and reliable water service at a fair cost, and serves as a guiding
reference for decision-making, budgeting, and staff training. It helps keep the
organization focused during difficult tradeoffs, such as balancing rate
affordability against infrastructure investment needs.
18. What is a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and how might a utility
manager use one?
ANSWER : An MOU is a formal but generally non-binding written agreement
between two or more parties outlining shared understandings, responsibilities,
or cooperative arrangements, such as mutual aid during emergencies or shared
use of equipment between neighboring utilities. Utility managers use MOUs to
formalize cooperative relationships without the full complexity of a binding
contract.
19. Why is interdepartmental coordination, such as with public works or planning
departments, important for a utility manager?
ANSWER : Water and sewer infrastructure projects often overlap with road
construction, stormwater management, and land development, so coordination
prevents conflicts, reduces costs through joint trenching or shared contractors,
and ensures utility capacity is considered in growth planning. Poor coordination
can lead to redundant excavation, damaged infrastructure, or utility systems
that are undersized for approved development.
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Georgia (GA) Utility Manager Certification
1. What is the primary role of a utility manager in a Georgia municipal or county
water/wastewater system?
ANSWER : A utility manager oversees the daily operation, regulatory
compliance, financial health, and long-term planning of a water or wastewater
system. This includes supervising operations and maintenance staff,
coordinating with elected officials or a governing board, managing budgets and
capital projects, and ensuring the utility meets all state and federal
requirements while providing safe, reliable service to customers.
2. Explain the difference between an enterprise fund and a general fund as it
applies to a Georgia utility.
ANSWER : An enterprise fund is a self-supporting accounting structure in
which utility revenues, primarily from user rates, cover the full cost of
operations, maintenance, debt service, and capital improvements, separate from
tax-supported general fund activities. A general fund, by contrast, is financed
through taxes and covers non-utility municipal services; commingling the two
can mask the true cost of service and create audit or bond-covenant problems.
3. What is a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and why is it important for a utility?
ANSWER : A CIP is a multi-year schedule identifying major infrastructure
projects, their estimated costs, funding sources, and priority order, typically
covering five to ten years. It allows a utility manager to plan rate increases, debt
issuance, and grant applications proactively rather than reacting to emergency
failures, and it demonstrates fiscal responsibility to bond rating agencies and
regulators.
4. Describe the role of the utility's governing body (city council, county commission,
or authority board) in setting policy.
Page 1 of 40
, Georgia Utility Manager Examination
ANSWER : The governing body adopts rates, approves budgets and major
contracts, sets broad policy direction, and holds ultimate accountability to the
public, while the utility manager implements those policies through day-to-day
administration. A clear division between policy-setting and operational
execution helps avoid political interference in technical decisions and keeps the
utility financially and operationally sound.
5. What is an asset management program and what core elements should it
include?
ANSWER : An asset management program is a systematic approach to
inventorying, condition-assessing, and prioritizing maintenance or replacement
of infrastructure assets to maximize service life at the lowest lifecycle cost. Core
elements include an asset inventory, condition and criticality assessments, a
risk-of-failure analysis, a funding strategy, and a documented level-of-service
target.
6. Why is succession planning important for a utility management team?
ANSWER : Succession planning ensures continuity of operations when key
personnel, particularly certified operators and senior managers, retire or leave,
by identifying and training internal candidates ahead of time. Without it, a
utility risks losing institutional knowledge, certification coverage required by
law, and operational stability during leadership transitions.
7. What is the purpose of an organizational chart in utility management, and what
should it show?
ANSWER : An organizational chart clarifies reporting relationships, chains of
command, and areas of responsibility so that employees and the public
understand who is accountable for specific functions. It should show positions
from the governing body down through the utility director, division supervisors,
and field or plant staff, along with any interdepartmental coordination points.
8. Define public-private partnership (P3) as it might apply to a Georgia water or
wastewater utility.
ANSWER : A public-private partnership is a contractual arrangement in which
a private firm designs, builds, operates, or finances all or part of a public utility
function while the public entity retains ownership and ultimate regulatory
responsibility. Georgia utilities sometimes use P3 arrangements for large
treatment plant upgrades or specialized operations to access private capital or
expertise while limiting direct public debt.
9. What key performance indicators (KPIs) should a utility manager track to
evaluate system performance?
ANSWER : Common KPIs include water loss or non-revenue water percentage,
main break frequency, sanitary sewer overflow counts, customer complaint
volume, billing accuracy, days of cash on hand, and regulatory compliance rate.
Page 2 of 40
, Georgia Utility Manager Examination
Tracking these metrics over time allows the manager to spot trends, justify
budget requests, and demonstrate accountability to the governing body and
ratepayers.
10. Explain the concept of level of service (LOS) in utility planning.
ANSWER : Level of service defines the standard of performance a utility
commits to delivering, such as minimum water pressure, maximum response
time to a main break, or acceptable frequency of service interruptions. LOS
targets guide capital investment decisions and give the governing body and
public measurable expectations against which utility performance can be
judged.
11. What is the role of a utility's standard operating procedures (SOPs), and how
should they be maintained?
ANSWER : SOPs document the approved, step-by-step methods for routine and
emergency tasks so that operations remain consistent regardless of which staff
member performs them. They should be reviewed and updated periodically,
whenever regulations or equipment change, and made readily accessible to
operators, with training records kept to show staff have been instructed on
current versions.
12. Why should a utility manager maintain relationships with the Georgia
Environmental Protection Division (EPD)?
ANSWER : EPD is the primary state regulator for drinking water and
wastewater permits, inspections, and enforcement in Georgia, so a cooperative
working relationship helps the utility stay informed of rule changes, resolve
compliance issues before they escalate, and access technical guidance. Proactive
communication with EPD district staff also builds credibility that can be
valuable during permit renewals or enforcement negotiations.
13. What is the difference between a water authority and a municipal water
department in Georgia?
ANSWER : A water authority is typically an independent special-purpose
governmental entity created by state legislation with its own board, bonding
authority, and dedicated revenue, operating somewhat separately from a city or
county government. A municipal water department is a direct division of city or
county government, subject to the same council or commission that oversees
other municipal services and budgets.
14. Describe the purpose of an emergency operations plan (EOP) for a utility.
ANSWER : An EOP outlines the utility's roles, responsibilities, communication
protocols, and resource needs for responding to emergencies such as
hurricanes, floods, power outages, or contamination events. It ensures staff
know their assignments in advance, coordinates with local emergency
Page 3 of 40
, Georgia Utility Manager Examination
management agencies, and helps the utility restore service quickly while
protecting public health.
15. What is meant by 'regionalization' or consolidation in the context of small
Georgia utilities?
ANSWER : Regionalization refers to combining the operations, management, or
infrastructure of multiple small water or wastewater systems into a single
larger entity to achieve economies of scale, stronger technical capacity, and
improved financial stability. Georgia EPD and USDA Rural Development often
encourage regionalization for undersized systems that struggle to meet
compliance or funding requirements on their own.
16. What records retention responsibilities does a Georgia utility manager have?
ANSWER : Utility managers must retain operational, financial, and compliance
records, including monitoring results, maintenance logs, personnel
certifications, and billing records, in accordance with state records retention
schedules and EPD requirements, which for many water quality records extends
several years or longer. Proper retention supports audits, litigation defense, and
historical trend analysis.
17. Explain the concept of a utility's mission statement and its practical value.
ANSWER : A mission statement articulates the utility's core purpose, such as
providing safe and reliable water service at a fair cost, and serves as a guiding
reference for decision-making, budgeting, and staff training. It helps keep the
organization focused during difficult tradeoffs, such as balancing rate
affordability against infrastructure investment needs.
18. What is a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and how might a utility
manager use one?
ANSWER : An MOU is a formal but generally non-binding written agreement
between two or more parties outlining shared understandings, responsibilities,
or cooperative arrangements, such as mutual aid during emergencies or shared
use of equipment between neighboring utilities. Utility managers use MOUs to
formalize cooperative relationships without the full complexity of a binding
contract.
19. Why is interdepartmental coordination, such as with public works or planning
departments, important for a utility manager?
ANSWER : Water and sewer infrastructure projects often overlap with road
construction, stormwater management, and land development, so coordination
prevents conflicts, reduces costs through joint trenching or shared contractors,
and ensures utility capacity is considered in growth planning. Poor coordination
can lead to redundant excavation, damaged infrastructure, or utility systems
that are undersized for approved development.
Page 4 of 40
