Water Management

Water conservation discussions often center around strategies for using less water, particularly at point of use. But another element to consider is the often-unseen wastefulness that can come from pipes that fail prematurely, leading to leaks or ruptures requiring early replacement.

In these times of intense scrutiny of the use of resources, sustainable design requirements and safety and reliability of utility structures such as water transmission mains, we can no longer tolerate the approach of installing the structures and fixing them when they leak (or fail catastrophically). Corrosion must be considered in the initial design stage for these structures, and the necessary corrosion control mitigation measures must be part of the design of the structures.

Since 1957, the video inspection of pipelines has given system owners valuable information regarding their underground assets. These tools have allowed cities to more accurately assess the condition of their sanitary, storm and water pipelines.

Potentially recoverable real losses in water systems cost real money. As a water community, we have adopted some general practices for estimating that cost and calculating the approximate economic level of real losses. The focus, however, has been on the production cost of water…

The City of Asheville, N.C., covers a total area of more than 41 square miles and is home to more than 83,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Its water resources department works non-stop, providing the city?s residents with clean drinking water through approximately 56,000 service connections.

Pipes that burst as a result of transients and surges within a piping network are very common problems throughout the world. Not only are the maintenance costs of these repairs extremely expensive, but when you add in possible litigation for third party damages, combined with the potentially significant value (cost) of the lost water, you can quickly realize the significance of what may appear simply as ?another pipe burst.?

The City of Milwaukee has had an eventful history when it comes to water and wastewater management. Its very location, at shore of Lake Michigan near the confluence of the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic rivers, served as an ideal location for manufacturing and transportation and helped fuel the city?s growth.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency needs to strengthen its drinking water system security program, according to the agency?s Office of Inspector General.

The Department of Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced last month a proposed settlement with the City of Columbia to resolve violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA), including unauthorized overflows of untreated raw sewage.

CH2M HILL announced last month that Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Lee McIntire will step down as CEO effective Jan. 1, 2014. McIntire, 64, will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board. The Board has appointed Jacqueline Hinman, 52, to serve as CEO also effective Jan. 1, 2014.