For utility managers, it can be challenging to do the right thing even in good times, but in bad times, it?s nearly impossible.

The next era of ?American Exceptionalism? hinges upon clean water access and effective wastewater management. America?s prosperity is based in part upon the leadership demonstrated by forward thinking capital asset owners, American entrepreneurs and farsighted government leaders in the water, wastewater and sewer markets.

Throughout the United States, municipalities of all sizes face the daunting task of upgrading and modernizing their antiquated water and wastewater systems.

Joe Keller has been a plumber for 21 years, but he has never experienced a job quite this complicated. The Golden Estates Mobile Home Community in Douglasville, Ga., has a 50-acre property that boasts three types of water pipes, antiquated maps, few isolation valves and pipe depths that vary from 1-8 ft underground.

Making asset management operational is a real challenge. Those in charge of infrastructure delivery programs recognize infrastructure upkeep is a real burden upon local government budgets.

Utility industry trends in regulation and spending clearly indicate a rapidly growing necessity for cyber security awareness, planning and protection of critical infrastructure.

Using technology for asset and workforce management is an important issue for water utilities today. As the water utility infrastructure ages, water utilities are becoming more and more interested in wireless technologies to help manage information, assets and workers.

Urban areas are extremely sensitive to weather-driven events due to the unique characteristics of urban soil, land use and higher population densities.

Utilities across the nation are facing a growing problem. Aging water delivery systems, coupled with tighter local and national budgets, are leading to infrastructure failures. Among the problems are leaks and older meters that are losing their accuracy due to a lack of maintenance or needed replacement. As a result, non-revenue water has become a considerable concern, and locating the true source of water loss has become a top priority.

The U.S. Department of Labor?s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently updated its Occupational Outlook Handbook with its latest employment projections for the 2010-20 decade, which includes predictions that construction industry employment will add 1.8 million jobs.