Long-term strategic planning: Fort Wayne City Utilities’ story of resilience
The utility's commitment to its strategic plan positioned FWCU as a nationally recognized Utility of Excellence.
Client background
Fort Wayne City Utilities (FWCU or the Utility) is a regional utility owned and operated by the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana, providing water, sewer/wastewater and stormwater services to its customers. Fort Wayne is Indiana’s second-largest city and is the heart of the Northeast Indiana economic region. FWCU serves a population of approximately 270,000 within the Fort Wayne city limits and approximately 43,000 outside the city limits. In addition, the utility provides wholesale water and sewer treatment services to several surrounding communities.
FWCU has 360 employees and a $150 million annual budget. Infrastructure assets include 1,429 miles of water mains, 1,416 miles of sewers and 697 miles of storm sewers. FWCU is governed by a strong mayor-council government and a Board of Public Works. A director, appointed by the mayor, oversees the Utility’s three water utilities and four business units – business services, engineering, operations and policy and planning. FWCU also seeks guidance from a local Utility Advisory Board comprised of local stakeholders, including neighborhood leaders and representatives from local organizations.
