ACWWA's Bond Rating

What’s Better than an A+?  ACWWA’s Bond Rating!

 Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority’s (ACWWA) strong management, sound finances and long-term planning efforts represent key factors in Standard & Poor’s (S&P) recent decision to upgrade ACWWA’s revenue bond rating to AA- from A+.  Achieving the new rating makes ACWWA one of the highest rated water issuers in the state.

 In upgrading ACWWA’s credit rating, S&P’s report, published on January 12, 2009, noted the following credit characteristics:
• Strong financial metrics, including debt services coverage and cash reserves;
• Good economic fundamentals to handle such pressures as housing market vulnerabilities,  employment softness, or cost-of-service inflation; and
• Solid management, which includes a demonstrated willingness to adjust rates, long-term  planning to fund key service components like water supply or regulatory-driven capital  expenditures, and the ability to serve the needs of a growing community.

 Higher credit ratings generally mean lower borrowing costs, and reduced capital costs translate to savings for ACWWA’s customers.

 Gary Atkin, ACWWA’s General Manager, noted, “Being able to achieve this type of success, especially in economic times such as these, is due to well thought out capital improvement projects and a strong financial plan.”

 “ACWWA’s mission statement is to provide unparalleled service and accountability to our customers while furnishing the highest quality water.  We strive daily to meet our mission statement, and the result can at times be as gratifying as an AA- rating from Standard & Poor’s.”