Articles by: Contributing Author

Extending Its AMI: Park City, Utah, Acquires New, Actionable Data & Reduces Risk

Extending Its AMI: Park City, Utah, Acquires New, Actionable Data & Reduces Risk

AMR/AMI, Water Loss, Water Management June 17, 2019 at 9:34 am

By Dan Pinney Historically, utilities and municipalities have used advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) to collect water consumption data for billing purposes. However, as measurement and communications technologies have evolved, there’s an increasing opportunity to gain new data within the water cycle and transform that dataRead More

The Science of Leak Noise: Some “Sound” Advice for Acoustic Leak Detection

The Science of Leak Noise: Some “Sound” Advice for Acoustic Leak Detection

Technology Perspectives, Water Loss April 15, 2019 at 12:18 pm

By Rob Meston Effective water loss control (WLC) is one of the most critical activities every water system must face, particularly as droughts increase and conservation mandates become more stringent. Leak detection has quickly become a cornerstone of every WLC program. No matter what typeRead More

NACWA: Now Is the Time to Advance Clean Water Infrastructure

NACWA: Now Is the Time to Advance Clean Water Infrastructure

By Jason Isakovic Public clean water sewer and stormwater services are an aspect of everyday life that often goes unnoticed by the hundreds of millions of Americans that depend on them. These essential services provide communities throughout the country, both small and large, the ability toRead More

Satellite Leak Detection: A Data-Driven Business Case Analysis

Satellite Leak Detection: A Data-Driven Business Case Analysis

Condition Assessment, Water Loss, Water Management April 11, 2019 at 9:42 am

By Paul Gagliardo Water utilities are constantly looking for new technologies and tools to ensure potable water is produced and delivered in a cost effective and safe manner. Due to aging linear underground assets, transmission and distribution pipelines, utilities must invest a significant amount of moneyRead More

Cash Reserves Pt. 2: Capital Reserves, Debt Service & Rate Stabilization Reserves

Cash Reserves Pt. 2: Capital Reserves, Debt Service & Rate Stabilization Reserves

By Andy McCartney Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a two-part series on cash reserves for water utilities. As mentioned in the first article on operating reserves, cash reserves are required to meet the operational, maintenance and capital needs of the utility whileRead More

COMMENTARY: Time to Start Recycling for Research

COMMENTARY: Time to Start Recycling for Research

Commentary, Guest Columns April 8, 2019 at 8:56 am

By Gordon Henrich As I was moderating a session at a trenchless rehab seminar it became obvious that most research and development in our industry is being done on new pipe and manholes ordered directly from a manufacturer. If our focus is rehabilitation, why aren’t weRead More

Is Open Procurement Really About Procurement?

Is Open Procurement Really About Procurement?

Water Finance, Water Management April 1, 2019 at 9:48 am

At a time when the focus should be on innovation and best value, the argument rages on over materials and price. These arguments are evidence that the role of procurement in the municipal water sector is misunderstood, undervalued or worse, both. By Jim Baehr AtRead More

LCA receives all user revenues but also bears full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the city’s water and wastewater utilities in accordance with standards.

Aging Mains No Match for Strategic Asset Management

Rehab & Replacement, Water Management March 28, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Michael Brown & Jason Peters Facing a dire financial situation in 2013, the City of Allentown, Pa., looked to monetize its water and wastewater systems through a 50-year concession lease arrangement. Nearby Lehigh County Authority (LCA), another publicly-owned water and wastewater utility, was aRead More

A Closer Look at  Environmental Impact Bonds

A Closer Look at Environmental Impact Bonds

Water Finance, Water Management March 25, 2019 at 8:09 am

How Are They Affecting Green Infrastructure? Across the nation, countless cities with antiquated sewer and stormwater systems are under orders from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce stormwater runoff to decrease the amount of pollution entering local waterways. When Washington, D.C., faced thisRead More

The Evolving Role of CMMS in the Water Industry

The Evolving Role of CMMS in the Water Industry

Technology Perspectives March 25, 2019 at 7:23 am

 | By Alex Williams Ensuring the safety of citizens, managing critical assets, complying with regulatory standards and eliminating unplanned downtime — these are a few of the major hurdles faced by water industry professionals. Computerized maintenance management software (CMMS) can play a significant role inRead More