Articles by: Andrew Farr

Automation and Analytics Create New Opportunities for System Optimization Across the Water Sector Smart water infrastructure has quickly become an important urban infrastructure solution in both the United States and around the world. It has offered new solutions in response to cities, communities and evenRead More

After more than eight years, DC Water’s top executive is stepping down. How he earned his reputation for utility management excellence began long before the utility’s resurgence to global recognition.  By Andrew Farr “I do what I do well,” George Hawkins says. Taken out ofRead More

If you plan on being in Chicago early for this year’s WEFTEC show (Sept. 30 – Oct. 4), make your way over to Park West on Saturday, Sept. 30, for the fifth annual Jammin’4Water benefit concert where water professionals will kick off the week inRead More

Last week, the third annual Water Finance Conference gathered water finance professionals from across the country for a discussion around the most critical issue facing the future of water infrastructure in the United States — funding. The two-day event, held Aug. 28-29 at the Harley-Davidson Museum® inRead More

“Smart water” is such a buzzword these days that the definition can get a bit skewed. What exactly constitutes smart water? Is it a piece of technology? If so, what does it do? Just how smart is it? Most importantly, does it help make yourRead More

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has invited 12 projects in nine states to apply for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans. These potential applicants were selected from a group of projects that represent large and small communities from across the United States thatRead More

The House Appropriations Committee has approved an FY18 spending bill that would cut EPA’s funding by 6.5 percent next year. The cut is far short of the 31 percent cut sought by President Donald Trump but still severe enough to reduce overall agency funding toRead More

Roundtable 2017 Editor’s Note — This issue marks the return of our popular Mayors Roundtable feature. Mayors are essential to a city’s water infrastructure agenda, involved in budgetary decisions and strategic planning, often in the face of financial challenges, economic uncertainty and regulatory constraints. TheyRead More

Heightened Visibility: Condition Assessment Using Transient Waves Gives Added Value to Pipeline Asset Management By Andrew Farr The report card on America’s infrastructure is out and the grades are not good. In March, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its 2017 Report CardRead More

The 2017 Water Asset Management Conference is heading to Boston, Oct. 10-11, for its 17th annual event highlighting best practices and effective utility management strategies for water and wastewater systems. The event is being held at the Boston Museum of Science. The Water Asset ManagementRead More