Water Finance

Water utility managers are always looking for proven methods to improve operations, enhance the water system and improve service standards. Precipitation, microbiological activity or corrosion can all form deposits on the pipe walls of the water distribution system over time. These accumulations can cause unwanted tastes, odors or discolorations of the water, reduce chlorine residual and may limit the pipe?s conveyance capacity.

California voters this November will decide whether to approve the sale of $7.5 billion in bonds to fund water projects in the drought-afflicted state, after the Legislature last month passed and Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed a spending package now headed to the ballot.

The Water Council and JPMorgan Chase & Co., have entered into a partnership to bring together North America?s investment community and water technology entrepreneurs to match capital with water innovation.The partnership includes a $225,000 grant from JPMorgan Chase as part of the company?s recently launched Small Business Forward initiative ? a national, five-year, $30 million grant program meant to boost small business support networks that help growing enterprises in specific industries.

Last week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee?s Panel on Public-Private Partnerships (P3 Panel) released its final report and recommendations on how to balance the needs of the public and private sector when undertaking P3s to finance U.S. infrastructure.

On Sept. 24, California water officials released plans for spending almost a third of the $687 million emergency drought relief package approved by lawmakers earlier this year. The State Department of Water Resources plans to make final decisions by Oct. 31.

Ohio-based Contech Engineered Solutions announced that it has acquired the assets of Filterra Bioretention Systems from Americast, Inc.

With a deadline looming to strike a deal on a state water bond, Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders earlier this month, floated a roughly $7 billion proposal they insist will help California weather future droughts.

Private water markets in the United States are poised for significant growth, according to a new report from Bluefield Research. Privately-owned water supply networks serve 15 percent of the U.S. population.

Recently, Trimble announced that the Orange County Sanitation District has implemented its Trimble Connect software in combination with Trimble Juno T41 rugged Android mobile devices for automating utility manhole maintenance, mapping and inspection.

Last week, U.S. Senators and Representatives from California and Oregon introduced ?W21: Water in the 21st Century,? legislation that would help communities nationwide better prepare for future water management needs.