Water Management

Most often, utilities justify fixed-network advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) as a way to more efficiently acquire the data necessary for accurate billing. Fixed-network AMI systems that automatically collect data 24 hours a day, seven days a week, eliminate estimated readings and the need to physically drive by homes or send people to read meters.

Jim Chaffee, a senior consultant with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., took over as president of the American Water Works Association on June 12, promising to serve ?with the same dedication and passion that water people demonstrate every day in providing a better world through better water.?

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) held its Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE13) in Denver, Colo., June 9-13. Attendance was up this year as more than 10,500 water professionals from across the country and the globe gathered at the Colorado Convention Center to see the latest products and services available, and to discuss some of the major trends across the industry.

Fort Worth, Texas is known as the city ?where the west begins.? This year, it was home to the American Society of Civil Engineers? Pipelines 2013 conference, which took place June 23-26 at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel in Fort Worth?s renowned cultural and entertainment district.

Earlier this year, the American Society of Civil Engineers released its 2013 Report Card for America?s Infrastructure. As expected, the results were disappointing as the nation?s infrastructure earned a D+ grade. More recently, a survey by the U.S. EPA revealed that $384 billion in improvements will be needed for the nation?s drinking water infrastructure through 2030.

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and the Association of the Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) released a report last month examining the vital role of tax-exempt municipal bonds in funding drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

Last month, the Senate confirmed Gina McCarthy as the new administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by a vote of 59 to 40. Previously, McCarthy has served as chief of the EPA?s Office of Air and Radiation that develops policies and regulations for limiting air pollution and radiation exposure. She has also served as commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the results of a survey showing that $384 billion in improvements are needed for the nation?s drinking water infrastructure through 2030 for systems to continue providing safe drinking water to 297 million Americans.

The Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program should be more widely embraced as an innovative way to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades for buildings as well as water efficiency upgrades for buildings.

A fundamental question: Which alternative is most cost effective ? going through the process of planning and financing for more wastewater treatment capacity, or making better use of existing treatment capacity by making permitted dischargers be more efficient?