Water Management

Smart technology is so 2014. Smart cities? Now we?re trending.Actually, smart cities are not a brand new concept but are being talked about more and more. Considering the rapid technological development of the 21st century, it would seem like the natural progression. After all, the term does make the concept sound pretty futuristic, right?

What one company or industry develops, another builds on those concepts and drives competition and capabilities to new heights. Like it or not, we are in an era in which technological advancements are impacting nearly every industry.

As managers and decision makers, water utility leaders must be armed with the skills to make sure their systems are running smoothly. It?s not always easy as many challenges exist. Aging infrastructure feels like a never ending battle for many cities, and drought is seemingly affecting many areas of the country.

Ken Kirk sees the big picture now. When it comes to policy development in the area of clean water, he?s seen the full extent of both struggles and achievements and takes pride in the latter.

Located on a peninsula in the Gateway Region between New York Bay, Newark Bay and Kill Van Kull, the City of Bayonne, N.J., is proud to support its economy through traditional manufacturing, distribution and maritime activities.

Government regulations and standards have tightened over the years, driving public and private sectors in the direction of a lead-free environment. Municipalities, utilities and property managers alike have had to adapt to the changes and find solutions that can accommodate their needs and their budgets to provide a safe water source for communities consuming the water.

The House of Representatives passed Republican-led legislation in July aimed at bringing more water to the most drought-plagued areas of California. Citing environmental concerns and other problems, the White House has threatened to veto the bill.

In June, the House Appropriations Committee approved a $30.17 billion Interior and Environment spending bill that cuts U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding by 9 percent and blocks key Obama administration climate rules.

In July, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved approximately $3.9 billion in financial assistance from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT).

After five punishing years, drought conditions have reached critical mass in California and much of the western United States, with Golden State utilities scrambling to meet government mandates for 25 percent reductions in water usage.