Water Management

For nearly three years, numerous U.S. water companies, organizations and advocates have lobbied Congress to reintroduce a significant piece of legislation to assist in the financing of water and sewer projects in the United States.

Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (CRA) and GHD announced March 12 that the two firms will merge ? an agreement that is expected to be finalized by July 2014.Employee shareholders in CRA will become shareholders of GHD. The transaction is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and is expected to close in July.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would see its budget for State Revolving Funds decrease and spending on categorical grants to states and tribes increase under President Obama’s 2015 budget plan.

The Sustainable Water Infrastructure Coalition (SWIC) had a busy and productive year in 2013. SWIC members joined industry groups to help save tax-exempt municipal bonds and lay the groundwork for the introduction of the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act.

The Boards of Directors of the WateReuse Association and the WateReuse Research Foundation are pleased to announce that Melissa L. Meeker has been named executive director effective March 25, 2014.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection?s (DEP) Catskill-Delaware Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection Facility, the largest ultraviolet water treatment facility in the world, has been selected by Engineering News-Record (ENR) as a 2013 ?Best of the Best Projects.?

The $1.6 billion Miami-Dade county sewer repair project has produced a steady flow of controversy as Florida public officials changed the rules for competitors for the prime contract, and the two finalists clashed over the accuracy of their stated qualifications.

CH2M HILL recently named Greg McIntyre as president of its Global Water Market. McIntyre succeeds Bob Bailey, who was named president of CH2M HILL?s Facilities and Urban Environments Market, which combines the firm?s Industrial & Advanced Technology, Government Facilities & Infrastructure and Urban Programs groups.

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) and Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall, II (D-W.Va.) have announced the establishment of the Committee?s next special panel, which will focus on the use of and opportunities for public-private partnerships (P3s).

Los Angeles may be known for its celebrities, glitz and glam, but the city’s mayor, Eric Garcetti, is focused on something decidedly less flashy: infrastructure.