Guest Columns

Balancing the Risks & Rewards of Underground and Trenchless Delivery Methods

Balancing the Risks & Rewards of Underground and Trenchless Delivery Methods

March 23, 2023 at 11:00 am 0 comments

By Steve Kramer Too few bidders. Bids above engineer’s estimates. Labor shortages. Material shortages and price increases. Delays in design or construction. Increasing claims or change orders. Do these events sound familiar? The underground construction business is impacted by continuing and new challenges. The linearRead More

Sunny Slope Water Company Shifts Contamination Costs to Polluters

Sunny Slope Water Company Shifts Contamination Costs to Polluters

March 22, 2023 at 8:35 am 0 comments

By Ken Sansone Across the country, water suppliers are discovering harmful contaminants in their water source and facing the question of how to pay for cleanup. While the supplier, the contaminant and the impacted community vary from case to case, one solution has proved effectiveRead More

In 2016, DC Water issued a unique $25 million Environmental Impact Bond, the proceeds of which went to green infrastructure projects to reduce the flow of stormwater into the Potomac River.

PFAS is Lining Up to be the Most Expensive Environmental Hazard in History

March 15, 2023 at 7:00 am 0 comments

By Michael DiGiannantonio The U.S. EPA has released its proposed maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) – two common types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Under the proposed MCLs, drinking water utilities across the country would be forcedRead More

EPA Headquarters building at the Federal Triangle in Washington, DC.

EPA to ‘aggressively confront’ PFAS with first-ever proposed standard

March 14, 2023 at 11:30 am 0 comments

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is proposing the first-ever national drinking water standard for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” The much anticipated announcement is the latest action under President Joe Biden’s plan to combat PFAS pollution andRead More

Federal Judge Denies Attempt by 3M to Evade PFAS Accountability

Federal Judge Denies Attempt by 3M to Evade PFAS Accountability

March 8, 2023 at 3:52 pm 0 comments

By Michael DiGiannantonio A federal district judge rejected 3M’s summary judgment arguments that the company should be treated as a government contractor and given immunity from being held liable for damages caused by PFAS produced by the company. The court explained that the Defendants, “asRead More

EPA’s 100th WIFIA loan to invest in Santa Clara County, California

EPA’s 100th WIFIA loan to invest in Santa Clara County, California

March 7, 2023 at 2:00 pm 0 comments

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced two Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans totaling $115 million to Santa Clara Valley Water District in Santa Clara County, California, to improve resiliency of the system’s water infrastructure. The announcement marks the 99th and 100th loansRead More

Non-Revenue Water Trends to Watch This Year

Non-Revenue Water Trends to Watch This Year

March 6, 2023 at 9:30 am 0 comments

By Simon Wick With another year behind us, we are excited about what innovation, collaboration and strategies are trending for non-revenue water (NRW) in 2023. However, five old industry challenges remain certain for the foreseeable future: The industry is slowly moving away from one-time surveysRead More

Republican-led states sue EPA over WOTUS rule

Republican-led states sue EPA over WOTUS rule

February 27, 2023 at 9:42 am 0 comments

A group of two dozen Republican-controlled states is suing the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the Biden administration’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that the group is calling an overreach that could end up harming ranchers, farmers and homeowners. On Dec. 30, EPARead More

Community Engagement: A Key Component of Successful Infrastructure Projects

Community Engagement: A Key Component of Successful Infrastructure Projects

February 13, 2023 at 10:30 am 0 comments

By Rebecca Zito Effective community engagement has become a crucial part of water utility operations. Because public expectations have changed dramatically, the silent utility provider is an outdated concept. Communities now demand more from their utility. Modern technology and convenience have forever altered the wayRead More

Stormwater research centers funded after WEF, NMSA support

Stormwater research centers funded after WEF, NMSA support

January 26, 2023 at 2:00 pm 0 comments

Research centers focused on stormwater infrastructure will be established through federal funding after extensive support from the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the National Municipal Stormwater Alliance (NMSA). Congress has provided $3 million in initial funding for the establishment of three to five Centers ofRead More