With population growth and climate changes threatening the U.S. water supply, desalination is a viable solution to augment groundwater and surface water supplies for drinking water.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over the past 50 years, the U.S. population has doubled in size and its thirst for water has tripled. Water usage in the next 25 years is expected to climb another 50 percent.

Several years ago, an article was featured that reviewed the U.S. Green Building Council?s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program as a tool to encourage environmentally compatible elements in buildings, including improved energy and water efficiencies.

The National Clay Pipe Institute (NCPI) was recently called upon to aid the Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) of Southern California in an investigation into possible causes of an unknown material building up in some of its gravity sewer lines.

America?s infrastructure investments ? levels of which have long trailed behind those of Asia and Europe ? will be further stifled this year by pressures to cut federal spending and reduce the deficit, compelling cities to be evermore creative and resourceful in securing partnerships to start or continue infrastructure projects, according to Infrastructure 2011: A Strategic Priority.

Leadership was the theme of this year?s American Water Works Association?s Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE) held in Washington, D.C., June 12-16. Thousands of water professionals from around the world gathered at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to take part in educational sessions and view exhibitors products and services.

Speaking before the Citi Climate Change and Water Conference recently in London, Aqua America Chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis said that the water-energy nexus will play a large role in future of the company with respect to environmental and business opportunities.

Pure Technologies Ltd. announced June 13 that it has purchased the business and assets of Electromechanical Technologies Inc. (EMTEK), a Salt Lake City-based developer of advanced pipeline inspection technologies.

Garney Companies Inc. has been awarded more than $375 million in contracts to improve Colorado?s water infrastructure, the company announced recently. Two projects were awarded independently by the Denver Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and Colorado Springs Utilities.

Paying obligations in water (or sewer service, or natural gas or whatever it is that you sell) ? that?s just the old barter system, right? Yes. But it is so much more. It will save or make your utility a lot of money, if done right.