The 82nd winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) was recently held in Washington, D.C., Jan. 22-24, at the Capital Hilton. Roughly 250 of the country?s mayors attended the multi-day program including the new mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio.

Last month, the Obama Administration proposed a Fiscal Year 2015 (FY 2015) budget of $7.89 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This request is $309.9 million below the EPA?s enacted level for FY 2014.

Stormwater drainage projects offer a variety of options to optimize funding and provide value to the public for infrastructure enhancements. Regardless of project scope or the size of investment, engineers and utility managers must always be prepared to ensure top value and that the best solutions for the long term are implemented.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has tracked water industry issues and trends since its founding in 1881. That tradition continues through its annual State of the Water Industry (SOTWI) survey.

After more than eight years as director of business development for Aqua-Pipe, Joseph Loiacono retired at the end of December 2013. However, he remains an Aqua-Pipe ambassador.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has partnered with Veolia Environnement (Veolia), to review current practices and assist in the implementation of industry best practices for the city?s large water meter and fire service line programs, as well as its chemical procurement activities.

The nation?s potable water sources are frequently threatened by an out-of-date water infrastructure, stormwater runoff and record-breaking droughts. Filmmakers at Penn State Public Media recognized this environmental dilemma and recently produced an interactive documentary project exploring how cities across the country are adopting innovative green solutions for their water blues.

With pivotal water infrastructure legislation in the balance, more than 130 water utility leaders from 46 states traveled to Capitol Hill April 1 to advocate for the creation of a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Authority during the American Water Works Association?s Water Matters! Fly In.

A new report, ?Water Meters: Global Market and Forecast 2013 ? 2018? from energy and utility industry specialists, StatPlan Energy, highlights strong prospects for smart water meters. The report forecasts a five year, 48 percent increase in annual demand for smart water meters by value by 2018.

In Springfield, Ohio, the total price tag for a federally mandated project to cut down on raw sewage flowing into local waterways could more than double earlier estimates and might now cost as high as $243 million.