Jefferson County, Ala., mired in a financial crisis that could lead to bankruptcy proceedings, came one step closer to a resolution on Sept. 16 when the County Commission approved an agreement that included debt concessions and sewer rate hikes.

Earth: the Blue Planet. Its nickname is derived from the fact that about 70 percent of its surface is covered by water.

In today?s economy, finding ways to ?do more with less? extends to virtually every business, government and educational institution.

While North America faces the ?pay now or pay later? challenges of rehabilitating aging underground pipe infrastructure, another issue ? unrelated to age ? is lurking beneath the surface.

Major construction of the Southern Delivery System (SDS) has now commenced.

The Plastics Pipe Institute Inc. (PPI) announced a new slate of officers for 2011 through 2013 at its annual meeting in Hilton Head, S.C. Gary Runyan of Zurn Pex Inc. was named Chairman of the Board, a two-year appointment.

United Water announced that the company has signed a five-year contract for professional operations, maintenance and management of the water and wastewater systems with the City of Pontiac, Mich., located 30 miles northwest of Detroit.

With the tremendous cost associated with the treatment and distribution of water, many water districts are going solar for protection from rising electricity costs.

The Tullahoma Utilities Board (TUB) has selected Mueller Systems, a leading provider of innovative water infrastructure products and services and technologically advanced metering systems for water, electric and gas systems, to upgrade its water and electric infrastructure with a state-of-the-art advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network and water and electric smart meters.

Just days after the conclusion of AWWA?S ACE 2011, the U.S. Conference of Mayors held its 79th annual meeting in Baltimore.