Articles by: Contributing Author

Realistically Planning to Spend Federal Infrastructure Money

Realistically Planning to Spend Federal Infrastructure Money

Financial Report, Guest Columns April 18, 2022 at 8:00 am

By Joe Crea The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or Infrastructure Bill) promises to inject $1.5 trillion across the country to “rebuild America’s roads, bridges and rails, expand access to clean drinking water, ensure every American has access toRead More

Unprecedented Federal and State Infrastructure Investment Bodes Well for Nation’s Water, Sewer Assets

Unprecedented Federal and State Infrastructure Investment Bodes Well for Nation’s Water, Sewer Assets

Public Utility Finance, Water Finance April 14, 2022 at 2:00 pm

By Wayne Hofmann This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, which has generated a legacy of improved water quality in our rivers and lakes and healthier drinking water sources while creating significant fiscal challenges for many communities in removing hazardous materialsRead More

Commentary: How to Handle the Revised Lead and Copper Rule’s Reputation-Threatening Public Communication Challenges

Commentary: How to Handle the Revised Lead and Copper Rule’s Reputation-Threatening Public Communication Challenges

Water Management April 8, 2022 at 7:09 am

By Mike McGill On my first day in the Water World in 2007, I was assigned a bit of an unenviable task.  Due in large part to several straight years without rate increases, my utility was heading into the heart of winter knowing its waterRead More

How to Prioritize Trenchless Pipeline Rehabilitation Projects

How to Prioritize Trenchless Pipeline Rehabilitation Projects

Rehab & Replacement, Water Management March 28, 2022 at 6:15 am

By Jennifer Glynn We’ve all heard the story before…the single most important issue facing North American municipalities is the renewal or replacement of aging water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. According to recent estimates, more than $600 billion is required to rehabilitate failing infrastructure within theRead More

Commentary: How Engagement on Federal Infrastructure Funding Is Playing Out Locally

Commentary: How Engagement on Federal Infrastructure Funding Is Playing Out Locally

Public Utility Finance, Water Finance February 28, 2022 at 8:27 am

By Ahmed Badruddin Both the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (infrastructure bill) represent landmark moments in the U.S. infrastructure industry. Their impact on business development and strategic planning is unlike anything we’ve seen in our 10 years servingRead More

Asset Management: Keys to Maximizing Return on Investment in Concrete Assets

Asset Management: Keys to Maximizing Return on Investment in Concrete Assets

Rehab & Replacement, Water Management February 24, 2022 at 9:49 am

By Edward Faust, Ross Smith & Joseph Greiner According to the Global Cement and Concrete Association, concrete is the most used man-made material on the planet. This should come as no surprise. Its strength, durability, resilience, safety and affordability have contributed to its use inRead More

2022 Trends: What Water Utilities Are Prioritizing in the Year Ahead

2022 Trends: What Water Utilities Are Prioritizing in the Year Ahead

AMR/AMI, Technology Perspectives, Water Loss February 21, 2022 at 5:30 am

By Morrice Blackwell While 2020 was challenging due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 presented its own obstacles as the lingering pandemic forced communities and utilities to navigate a new normal. Looking ahead, water utilities are seeking to overcome operational challenges by drivingRead More

Legal Corner: A Guide to Valuing Water Rights in Colorado

Legal Corner: A Guide to Valuing Water Rights in Colorado

Guest Columns, Legal Corner February 18, 2022 at 10:15 am

By Susan M. Ryan With population growth, increased environmental concerns, and a greater demand for water for residential, commercial and industrial projects, understanding water rights ownership and regulation is important for anyone evaluating water rights. While water laws vary from state to state, it isRead More

Historic Winter Weather Puts Smart Water to the Test

Historic Winter Weather Puts Smart Water to the Test

AMR/AMI, Water Management February 9, 2022 at 6:00 am

How the City of Jacksonville, Texas, Avoided A Major Water Crisis By Trey Overman Early 2021 followed a year of unprecedented events for people around the globe. For those residing in Texas, the theme continued with a historic winter storm in February that paralyzed theRead More

The WIFIA Loan Program Can Go Far. It Should Go Together.

The WIFIA Loan Program Can Go Far. It Should Go Together.

Public Utility Finance, Water Finance February 7, 2022 at 9:28 am

By Chad Praul & John Ryan “If you need to go fast, go alone. If you need to go far, go together.” Classic proverbs about everyday life aren’t usually relevant to topics like innovative federal financing for U.S. public infrastructure renewal. But here’s an exception:  the U.S.Read More