The American Water Works Association (AWWA) held its Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE14) in Boston, Mass., June 8-11. The conference once again showcased some of the most innovative technology in the water utility industry to the more than 11,000 attendees.

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) announced the renaming of its Research Innovation Award in honor of Dr. Pankaj Parekh, an advocate for ensuring safe drinking water to protect public health. The winners were honored at ACE14 in Boston last week.

Neptune Technology Group Inc., has announced it has joined the Cityworks Partner Network as a Strategic Development Partner. In addition, iWater, Inc., Clevest and Continental Utility Solutions, Inc. (CUSI) have joined Neptune?s Connected Utility Partnership Program.

Singapore International Water Week (SIWW), held June 1-5, attracted more than 20,000 participants from 118 countries/regions spanning the government, international organizations, industry, and academia sectors.

On May 15, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) reintroduced the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act to the Senate. The bill is identical to the water private activity bond (PAB) legislation introduced by Reps. John Duncan (R-Tenn.) and Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) in March.

President Obama has signed into law the Water Resources and Reform Development Act, which includes the new Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Authority. Supported by AWWA and other water organizations, WIFIA is a new finance tool to help communities address essential water and wastewater infrastructure projects

As the City of Detroit considers the possible privatization of its water and sewer department, Gov. Rick Snyder told the Detroit Free Press on Wednesday that privatizing the whole system may not be practical.

On June 2, SWIC members joined PAB bill sponsors Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) to hear the Congressmen outline and discuss their water and wastewater finance legislation, the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act of 2014, H.R. 4237 and S.2345.

IDModeling, Inc., a provider of smart water network software and services, announced last week the spring release of its flagship network management software, Sedarū. This release brings modeling benefits to water utility professionals everywhere, featuring tools that calculate, map and alert ?What Happens Next? from anywhere, on any device.

The AWWA, AMWA and WEF have sent joint letters to appropriations committees in both the House and the Senate seeking full funding for the new WIFIA and for the existing State Revolving Fund programs for fiscal year 2015.