Events

Foundations of Water Regulation - 2026

NARUC Professional Development
Track: Water

December 8, 9, 10, 2026 | 2:00-4:00 PM ET each day (Live online)

Foundations of Water Regulation is designed to demystify the economic regulation of water and wastewater utilities and to better prepare those involved in regulation to address current and emerging issues in water utility regulation. This course provides an introduction and overview of the US water utility and regulatory environment. It reviews the basics of regulation and ratemaking, the nexus between current environmental pressures and economic regulation, and alternative and innovative regulatory practices and approaches.

Fees:

NARUC State, Associate, and Federal Members: $265
Other State, Federal Government, and International Agencies / NASUCA Members / Academia: $465
All Others: $665

Register

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this course, students will understand:

  • The basics of US water regulation today and in the future
  • The way in which water systems revenue requirements and rates are determined and the difference between regulating water and other utility services
  • Alternative regulatory approaches to water regulation

Course Outline:

Day 1: Industry & Regulatory Foundations

  • Overview of the U.S. water utility industry
  • Water utility regulation
  • Key emerging issues (PFAS, Affordability, Federal and state policy changes)

Day 2: Traditional Ratemaking Fundamentals

  • Revenue requirement determination
  • Cost allocation and customer classes
  • Rate design
  • Mergers and acquisitions

Day 3: Innovative Regulatory Approaches

  • Decoupling
  • Incentives for small system consolidation and fair market value
  • Customer assistance programs
  • Performance-based regulation

Participants should expect to spend approximately 1 to 2 hours on pre-course reading and assignments.

Instructor: Jeff Hughes, Executive in Residence, Duke University. Prior to joining Duke, Hughes served as a Commissioner on the North Carolina Utilities Commission from 2019 to 2025 and previously chaired the NARUC Committee on Water. Hughes brings extensive experience in water regulation to this foundational course. He will be joined throughout the course by representatives from consumer advocacy organizations and water utilities.

Joined by: Chuck Rea, Vice President, Regulated Pricing and Affordability, American Water Company. Mr. Rea has been with the regulatory group at American Water Company since January 2018. Prior to his work with American Water, Chuck was with MidAmerican Energy Company for 27 years where he last served as Director, Energy Efficiency and Regulatory Analytics. Chuck has extensive hands-on experience in cost of service, rate design, and affordability analysis in the electric, gas, water, and wastewater utility sectors.