Standard&Poor's Ratings Services has assigned its 'AAA' long-term rating to Charlotte, N.C.'s water and sewer system revenue refunding bonds series 2011 and affirmed its 'AAA' rating on the system's previously rated water and sewer revenue bonds. The 'A-1' and 'A-1+' short-term ratings on the system's outstanding variable-rate water and sewer debt issues reflect the credit quality of the respective liquidity facility providers. The 'AAA' long-term rating reflects our opinion of the water and sewer system's: Service area economy, which continues to exhibit growth, albeit at a slower pace, as well as fundamentally strong economic indicators; Very strong financial performance with the expectation of continued revenue bond coverage in excess of 1.8x over the next five-year horizon; Consistently high
