Articles by: Contributing Author

Tackling PFAS with Innovation: Orange County Water District’s Approach

Tackling PFAS with Innovation: Orange County Water District’s Approach

Commentary, Guest Columns December 4, 2023 at 9:12 am

| 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

Public Financing Considerations for AMI

Public Financing Considerations for AMI

AMR/AMI, Water Finance November 27, 2023 at 9:18 am

| 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

The Digital Dividend: How Innovation is Changing the Way We Manage Water

The Digital Dividend: How Innovation is Changing the Way We Manage Water

Water Management November 27, 2023 at 9:15 am

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

Modernizing Network Management

Modernizing Network Management

Water Management November 20, 2023 at 9:43 am

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

What’s next for WOTUS following Sackett ruling?

What’s next for WOTUS following Sackett ruling?

Guest Columns, Legal Corner November 20, 2023 at 9:16 am

| 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

Asset Management: Criticality and Risk Analysis

Asset Management: Criticality and Risk Analysis

Water Management November 16, 2023 at 7:15 am

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

What Are Water Utilities & States Doing with Compliance Data?

What Are Water Utilities & States Doing with Compliance Data?

Water Management November 13, 2023 at 6:35 am

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

How to Ensure Accuracy in Detecting Contaminants

How to Ensure Accuracy in Detecting Contaminants

Water Management October 18, 2023 at 2:43 pm

By Theresa Bellish Worldwide, water utility managers must constantly pivot as external factors affect our water sources. Emerging contaminants like PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) and chemicals coming from illegal dumping and accidental leaks have become more prevalent as climate change causes extreme weather inRead More

Thinking Twice About AMI?

Thinking Twice About AMI?

AMR/AMI, Technology Perspectives, Water Management October 12, 2023 at 7:05 am

Alternatives and Complementary Systems to Consider | By Peter Mayer Customer metering is fundamental to the successful function of a modern water utility. The introduction of expensive Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) systems with fixed data transmission networks and battery powered “smart” water meters has confrontedRead More

Commentary: Now is the time to amend WIFIA

Commentary: Now is the time to amend WIFIA

By John Ryan Congress certainly looks like an exciting place this fall, with plenty of political fireworks and intense drama over spending. But there’s no doubt legislators and their constituents will also want to see progress on some basic things that are clearly beneficial, aren’tRead More