Articles by: Contributing Author

| By Audra Dickinson U.S. water utilities are entering a calmer environment in 2024 as the rate of inflation continues to level off, so much so that Fitch Ratings has moved its sector outlook to neutral from deteriorating. Much of the improved picture is drivenRead More

By Jordanna Rubin Evidence highlighting the effects of climate change – and its increasing impact on our societies – is indisputable. 2023 saw a flurry of extreme weather events across the world. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recorded 28 weather and climate disastersRead More

| By Chad Seidel Recently released drinking water quality testing data calls into doubt major assumptions underpinning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed National Drinking Water Standards for PFOA and PFOS. Most importantly, these water quality testing results from water systems across the UnitedRead More

| By Craig Butt & Prem Parmar For the past 90 years, the Orange County Water District (OCWD) has provided a safe and reliable local groundwater supply to Southern California. As regulations and requirements for water quality have changed dramatically since 1933, OCWD has continuouslyRead More

| By David J. Clamage Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is a popular topic today. Infrastructure in general is equally popular as we look for ways to repair and improve the aging and ailing systems that power American life. In November 2021, just in time forRead More

By Tim Braun & OJ McFoy Utility leaders often dedicate considerable time to finding ways to close gaps. Between aging water infrastructure, the impacts of climate change, and limited budgets to pay for upgrades, the job is often about finding ways to “do more withRead More

Bridging Physical and Digital Operations at Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Utilities By Seth Johnstone The water industry is contending with three primary challenges: aging infrastructure, water stress from drought or flooding and critical water quality issues. These challenges, along with an aging utility workforce andRead More

| By Susan Bodine On Jan. 18, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Corps of Engineers published a final rule defining “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act despite the fact that a case on that issue wasRead More

Mojave Water Agency Optimizes Maintenance Activities, Realizes Cost Savings | By Tacoma Zach The Mojave Water Agency (MWA) is responsible for ensuring a stable and sustainable water supply for the High Desert region in San Bernardino County. Its projects cover a service area of approximatelyRead More

A Scathing Critique. A review of “Next Generation Compliance: Environmental Regulation for the Modern Era,” by author Cynthia Giles, published by Oxford University Press. | By G. Tracy Mehan, III Former Obama EPA enforcement chief Cynthia Giles has written a very challenging, well-documented critique ofRead More