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Shannon W. Elam, MHA, CLSSBB, brings more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing, healthcare, and water utilities. His early career in manufacturing.
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AquaLean: Lean Water Management
Building World-Class Water Utilities Through Continuous Improvement introduces a groundbreaking framework
AquaLean: Lean Water Management
Building World-Class Water Utilities Through Continuous Improvement introduces a groundbreaking framework
About The Author
hey i’m Shannon W. Elam
Shannon W. Elam, MHA, CLSSBB, brings more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing, healthcare, and water utilities. His early career in manufacturing and healthcare laid the foundation for his passion for Lean culture and process improvement. Working in ISO environments shaped the way he views management, systems, and the pursuit of continuous
When Shannon entered the water utility field in his hometown of West Liberty, Kentucky, he immediately recognized the need for Lean principles in the sector. Conversations with industry professionals confirmed what he already saw firsthand—the entire water industry needed a shift toward a Lean way of life. Drawing on his extensive background, Shannon adapted Lean practices from manufacturing and healthcare and transformed them into a framework tailored for water utilities.
As Chief Executive Officer of North Marshall Water District, Shannon has led numerous initiatives to improve water quality, reduce system losses, and integrate Lean Six Sigma tools into daily utility operations. He is the creator of AquaLean, a model designed to help water utilities embrace efficiency, accountability, and a culture of excellence.Shannon is an active leader in professional associations, including Kentucky Rural Water, AWWA KY/TN Section, and KWWOA.
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AquaLean: Lean Water Management
Building World-Class Water Utilities Through Continuous Improvement introduces a groundbreaking framework that transforms water operations from constant crisis mode into predictable, efficient, and reliable systems. Rooted in Lean Six Sigma, the Toyota Production System, and the proven WATER LOSS Framework, AquaLean helps water utilities stabilize their H₂O Flow, Info Flow, Work Flow, and Trust Flow so they can finally move from firefighting to flow.
Building World-Class Water Utilities Through Continuous Improvement is a practical and transformative guide designed to help water utilities move from a reactive “firefighting” culture to a stable, proactive, and continuously improving organization. Drawing from decades of hands-on experience, Shannon W. Elam integrates Lean Six Sigma, the Toyota Production System, PDCA, DMAIC, ISO 9001, and real-world utility operations into a unified framework known as AquaLean.
Drawing from decades of real-world experience, Shannon W. Elam, MHA, CLSSBB, reveals why many utilities struggle with aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, compliance pressure, and reactive culture, and how a structured improvement model can end the cycle for good. Through clear explanations, practical tools, and powerful stories, this book teaches leaders, operators, and managers how to remove waste, strengthen communication, prevent failures, and build sustainable excellence across the entire organization.
At the heart of this book is the Four Stream Flows model, H₂O Flow, Info Flow, Work Flow, and Trust Flow, which together form the operational lifeline of every utility. AquaLean shows how strengthening these four flows creates reliable service, empowered teams, improved compliance, and a culture built on clarity instead of crisis.This book offers practical tools, real examples, and step-by-step guidance on implementing Standard Work, 5S, Kaizen, Gemba Walks, Visual Management, Root Cause Analysis, A3 Problem Solving, and other proven methods tailored specifically for water utilities.
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