Case Study
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
Overview
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is a waste and water treatment provider for the 60,000 plus residents in the New Hanover County, NC area. They operate solely on the funds of their customers and were looking for a way to add more money back into their budget without having to raise costs for their consumers.
Understanding the complexity of utility billing and rates, CFPUA decided to work with the experts at UMS. In analyzing their 192 electric accounts, UMS analysts were able to uncover major savings opportunities. One of the opportunities projected to yield hundreds of thousands in savings required a slight operational shift. UMS helped advise in this shift. Other non-operational change savings were also implemented by UMS for CFPUA.
First, our team identified a billing error for which UMS was able to obtain a refund for STF for three years of overpayment. Second, we were able to negotiate a new Power Purchase Contract with their
power provider resulting in annual ongoing savings.
Overall, CFPUA realized over $290,236 in annual savings. Two specific accounts produced $119,628 in savings during just a 6-month period.
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority was happy to be able to gain savings to help further supply high-quality service to New Hanover County residents.
The Facts
- Water and wastewater provider for New Hanover County, NC
- 60,000 plus customers whose fees are the sole funding of the operations
- CPFUA understood the complexity of rate options in their area a decision to outsource their efforts to UMS – saving them time and money
- UMS analyzed 192 of their electric accounts
- Analysts uncover that due to the unique operating characteristics of the facility there were significant savings opportunities some of which required slight operational changes and some that did not
- Savings resulted in over $290,236 a year!