AWWA ACE94052

PAWATER is a user-friendly, pre-feasibility computer model for estimating the total costs applicable to planning, design, construction, administration, operation, and maintenance of small water systems. The model is a preliminary screening tool for assessing financial viability of proposed water systems, and is capable of estimating total costs from the limited data commonly available from prospective developers. Program output consists of a detailed report which documents total system costs and presents a projected 5-year cash flow analysis. The total cost of finished water to prospective customers is computed for three alternative types of water utility ownership, namely: a homeowners association; an investor-owned utility; and a municipally-owned utility. Input data files are saved for future revisions or to perform sensitivity analyses, which are accomplished by varying customer growth rate, system requirements, financial parameters, and other pertinent system features.