With the tremendous cost associated with the treatment and distribution of water, many water districts are going solar for protection from rising electricity costs.

Just days after the conclusion of AWWA?S ACE 2011, the U.S. Conference of Mayors held its 79th annual meeting in Baltimore.

Water usage and waste are at record levels as a growing global population, environmental changes and aging water infrastructure strain freshwater resources.

Perhaps the three most important questions facing a municipal water department today are, ?How do you predict how long our water distribution system will last?,? ?When must we start planning for replacement?? and ?What?s the true cost over the lifetime of the system??

In the last issue of UIM we outlined the key trends and developments taking place in the water market ? including the recent surge of interest by investors looking to gain a foothold in the sector. In this issue, we take a closer look at other issues shaping the water market, namely ownership changes and industry consolidation.

The Milwaukee Water Council will host its fifth annual Water Summit conference Sept. 19-20 at Milwaukee?s Discovery World/Pier Wisconsin complex.

Godwin Pumps, manufacturer of the Dri-Prime automatic self-priming, dry-running pump continues to support emergency relief efforts throughout the East Coast after Hurricane Irene.

RJN Group, Inc. (RJN) is presently in the middle of a year-long sanitary sewer evaluation study (SSES) in the City of Irving?s Southwest Basin. The SSES began in January of this year and is scheduled for completion by the end of December.

Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. (ADS), the world?s largest manufacturer of corrugated plastic pipe, announced plans for a new world-class manufacturing facility in Hampton, Iowa. The new plant will be fully operational by mid-September.

Infrastructure is the driving force of an economy. Without means to move goods and services, and without facilities to provide clean and safe water, a city simply cannot compete.