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.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered the Buffalo Sewer Authority in Buffalo, N.Y. to comply with federal Clean Water Act requirements for combined sewer systems to protect people?s health and water quality.

Atlanta will get a 13-year extension on sewer system upgrades required by federal regulators, according to a proposed agreement between the city, Georgia officials and federal regulators.

The Town of Clayton, N.Y. has announced funding has been secured to undertake a $4.3 million project to upgrade a 100-year-old sewer system with work slated to begin this fall.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a new design competition called the Campus RainWorks Challenge to encourage student teams on college and university campuses across the country to develop innovative approaches to stormwater management.

Last week, American Water Works Company, Inc., reported increases in revenues, net income and earnings per share for the first quarter, which ended March 31, 2012, as compared to the first quarter of 2011.