At a 40th anniversary event for the Safe Drinking Water Act, U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy commended water suppliers across the country for their efforts to provide safe drinking water to millions of Americans.

Water use across the country reached its lowest recorded level in nearly 45 years, according to a new report by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). According to the findings, 355 billion gallons of water per day (BGD) were withdrawn for use in the entire United States during 2010, representing a 13 percent reduction of water use from 2005 when about 410 BGD were withdrawn ? the lowest level since before 1970.

AECOM has produced a new report that examines the value of investment in water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure in the U.S. economy.

Last month, voters approved a sizable bond that had become a priority for lawmakers and the California governor. The state?s aging water infrastructure and collection of ecosystems will receive a $7.5 billion injection of taxpayer dollars thanks to the measure.

Trends in the U.S. infrastructure market are constantly shifting. In today?s market, there is arguably no sector facing a more critical shortfall between demand and investment than the U.S. water market. In a 2013 study, the EPA gave the U.S. water and wastewater infrastructure a subpar ?D? grade.

An important first step in addressing the problem is looking around the country at the risks water utilities are facing in terms of how the physical infrastructure is faring under severe weather.

In the City of Tyler, Texas, a recently completed sanitary sewer project illustrates the water utility?s desire for both quality and value. In an effort to maximize return on investment and secure the most qualified contractor, the city chose to use a competitive sealed proposal as its means of bidding approximately 43,000 lf of 15- to 30-in. pipe installed at depths of up to 26 ft with 250 manholes and two lift stations.

Designing and constructing the largest low pressure sewer system in the Western Hemisphere was far from the original intent of the small Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District (TLRSD) in north-central Indiana.?What was originally envisioned was to provide safe, reliable, cost-effective, sanitary sewer service to the residents of the district,? says Mike Darter, general manager of TLRSD.

As 2014 draws to a close, we?ve seen another year of technological development and implementation in the municipal water/wastewater sector. As the industry continues to make use of software tools for monitoring water use, detecting leaks and using the information to make the best management decisions, it?s worthwhile to examine the evolution of the technology, and how specific enhancements in both the design and user interface have helped water utilities apply it.

New Orleans recently served as the host city for the 87th annual conference and exhibition of the Water Environment Federation (WEFTEC 2014). The conference featured a collection of programs and sessions that served as a catalyst for new ideas, new perspectives, new opportunities and new approaches that are very much needed in order to efficiently and sustainably manage the water systems of the world.