The City of Shreveport, La., has agreed to make significant upgrades to reduce overflows from its sanitary sewer system and pay a $650,000 civil penalty to resolve Clean Water Act (CWA) violations stemming from illegal discharges of raw sewage, the Department of Justice and the U.S. EPA announced last month. The state of Louisiana, a co-plaintiff in this case, will receive half of the civil penalty.

The U.S. EPA is releasing a synthesis report on ?The Importance of Water to the U.S. Economy.? The report is intended to help raise the awareness of water?s importance to our national economic welfare and to summarize information that public and private decision-makers can use to better manage the nation?s water resources.

The City of Baltimore?s Board of Estimates has awarded Itron, Inc., the contract for its Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Water Meter System Installation Program. The program will upgrade the City of Baltimore and Baltimore County?s water metering infrastructure with the goal of improving customer service and billing accuracy for all of the bureau?s water customers. Baltimore City?s Bureau of Water and Wastewater is the supplier of water to 1.8 million people in the Baltimore Metro Area.

Krausz Industries, based in Israel, recently announced the official opening of its new Ocala, Fla., facility that will provide coupling and repair clamp solutions for the U.S. water and wastewater industry.

The AWWA is reporting that the U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bipartisan bill that would exempt fire hydrants from being subject to lead-safety regulations for drinking water that go into effect Jan. 4, 2014.

The National Council for Public-Private Partnerships? (NCPPP) Board of Directors has elected a new leadership team for 2014 to accelerate the non-profit, non-partisan organization?s mission to advocate for public-private partnerships (PPPs) and provide related training and educational programs to a growing list of public- and private-sector members and organizations.

Last month, a federal jury unanimously ruled that JM Eagle, which claims to be the largest pipe manufacturer in the world, knowingly manufactured and sold to government entities substandard plastic pipe that was used in water and sewer systems in various states around the country.

According to a recent report released by Standard & Poor?s, bonds issued under U.S. clean water and drinking water state revolving fund programs (SRFs) continue to enjoy very strong and stable credit quality.

On Nov. 27, Steve Edwards became the new chairman, president and CEO of Black & Veatch succeeding Len Rodman. The formal transition occurs as Rodman retires from Black & Veatch after 42 years with the company and 15 years as CEO.

Last month, a bipartisan coalition of 10 senators led by U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), introduced legislation for a new infrastructure financing authority to help states and localities better leverage private funds to build and maintain the nation?s outdated infrastructure.