公用事业公司获得所需融资的能力取决于其说服投资者市场其信誉的能力。因此，信誉应该是公用事业的明确目标，比如良好的客户服务和充足的安全供水。有效地管理信誉意味着管理未来的金融风险。讨论了水务设施财务风险的来源，以及随着时间推移降低财务风险的方法。通过增长管理、有效利率设计和监管流程将风险降至最低，并解释了财务经理角色的变化。包括桌子。

The ability of a utility to obtain needed financing depends on its ability to convince the investor market of its creditworthiness. It follows that creditworthiness should be an explicit goal of utilities, like good customer service and an adequate supply of safe water. Managing creditworthiness effectively means managing future financial risk. The source of financial risk in water utilities is discussed, as are ways to lower the financial risk profile over time. The minimization of risk through growth management, effective rate design, and the regulatory process is covered, and the changing role of the financial manager is explained. Includes table.