Which of the following are reasonable objectives of a cost accounting program for a wastewater utility?

• A. Identify methods or measures for controlling increases in operating costs
• B. Provide data for budget development and preparation
• C. All of the above
• D. Provide data that helps in making decisions about making repairs versus replacement of equipment

Answer: (C)

Cost accounting in a wastewater utility aims to understand and manage costs to support efficient operations and informed decisions. Identifying methods or measures for controlling increases in operating costs helps pinpoint what drives expenses and flags where improvements can reduce spending, which keeps services affordable and budgets on track. Providing data for budget development and preparation ensures financial plans reflect actual activities, resource needs, and anticipated workloads, so the utility can allocate funds wisely. Providing data that helps in making decisions about repairs versus replacement of equipment supports asset management by comparing lifecycle costs, reliability, and downtime, guiding smarter investments in what to repair or replace. Because each of these points contributes to tighter cost control, better budgeting, and sound asset decisions, the best choice is the one that includes all of them.