The Effective Utility Management: A Primer for Water and Wastewater Utilities (“Primer”) is designed to help water and wastewater utility managers make informed decisions and practical, systematic changes to achieve excellence in utility performance in the face of everyday challenges and long-term needs for the utility and the community it serves. This document distills the expertise and experience of utility leaders into a framework intended to help utilities identify and address their most pressing needs through an incremental, continual improvement management approach.