In May, the Value of Water Coalition released the results of a poll that asked Americans about the importance of water in their lives. The results of the survey paint a stark picture about the role water plays in everyday life and the urgent action needed to ensure a safe, reliable water supply for all communities.

According to the latest edition of FMI?s Mergers & Acquisitions Trends, the impact of large, transformational deals by integrated engineers and constructors (E&C) last year will spur continued merger and acquisition (M&A) activity this year, as the largest firms use acquisitions to drive growth and enter new markets.

NASA has joined forces with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Geological Survey to transform satellite data designed to probe ocean biology into information that will help protect the American public from harmful freshwater algal blooms.

In April, Congressman Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) announced legislation aimed to update water infrastructure essential to protecting the Great Lakes and the communities that surround them. The legislation is also supported by Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) and Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.).

Dr. Wallace ?J? Nichols will address water professionals at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 8 during the opening general session of the American Water Works Association?s Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE15) at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.

The U.S. EPA recently issued health advisories values for two cyanotoxins ? microcystin and cylindrospermopsin ? ahead of its public meeting and webinar, scheduled for today.

The third annual Infrastructure Week kicks off today and will bring together America?s leading organizations representing the full spectrum of business, labor and public policy throughout the week.

Golder Associates, the global consulting and engineering firm, announced it has appointed Dr. Hisham Mahmoud as its president and CEO. Mahmoud has been appointed to this role after an extensive global search over recent months.

CH2M HILL recently announced it has adopted a refreshed brand and logo designed to better reflect its clients? needs and its own ambitions for growth. The company has also adopted a simpler brand name, CH2M.

WateReuse recently appointed two new members to serve on the Board of Directors. Halla Razak, the public utilities director for the City of San Diego and Gilbert Trejo, P.E., chief technical officer for El Paso Water Utilities begin service effective May 2015.