Water Management

Innovation in the water sector has been largely misunderstood and understated.With other types of technology unicorns coming out of the west coast and our attraction to sexy solutions, the water sector continues cry out for better, innovative technologies.

WEFTEC, the Water Environment Federation?s (WEF) 88th annual technical exhibition and conference, returned to The Windy City, Sept. 26-30 at McCormick Place and broke attendance records with more than 25,000 attendees and more than 1,000 exhibitors.

Last week, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) released a new comprehensive report detailing challenges, opportunities and pathways to improving the nation?s stormwater systems, along with the official opening of the new WEF Stormwater Institute.

Hanson Building Products (HBP), a multinational manufacturer of a diversified range of concrete and clay building products in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, announced that its North American concrete pipe and precast business has finalized the purchase of Cretex Concrete Products.

This week, Oct. 6-8, the Value of Water Coalition is partnering with more than 70 organizations seeking to raise awareness and build political support for our most essential resource: water.

Last week, a partnership of water sector organizations ? NACWA, WEF, WERF and WateReuse ? released the Water Resources Utility of the Future 2015 Annual Report.

The Plant City, Fla., water reclamation facility is no stranger to improvements. Between 1973 and 1997, the municipal plant, located just northeast of Tampa, underwent five upgrades to handle increased loading and flows, meet sludge regulations and federal requirements concerning the use of gas chlorine and eliminate discharge to its receiving stream, among other objectives.

In August, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed three bills into law that collectively make nearly $2 billion in state financing available for projects improving drinking water and wastewater facilities, including $776 million for storm and flood protection.

A coalition of businesses, education and environmental groups is calling for the creation of a $250 million trust to protect water quality in Ohio.

According to the U.S. EPA, there are nearly 69,000 drinking water and wastewater systems in the United States. According to water.org, the average American uses nearly 65,000 gallons of water in a year.