More construction firms are planning to hire workers this year than are planning to make layoffs, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released by the Associated General Contractors of America and Navigant.

The annual UIM Conference ? themed ?A Holistic Approach to Water Management? ? was a success Dec. 6-7 at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District?s Environmental and Maintenance Services Center in Cleveland.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) Board of Trustees announced that Jeff Eger has been named the new Executive Director of the federation, a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with 36,000 members representing water quality professionals around the world.

The Clean Water America Alliance welcomed Ben Grumbles, a dynamic water policy professional, as its new President in December.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors held a Mayors Water Summit Dec. 8-9 at the St. Regis Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.

Mueller Water Products Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of products and services that are used in the transmission and distribution of safe, clean drinking water and in water treatment facilities, is expanding its ability to help municipalities rebuild North America?s aging water infrastructure with the acquisition of Echologics Holdings, the parent company of Echologics Engineering Inc.

The National League of Cities annual Congress of Cities & Exposition met Nov. 30-Dec. 4 in downtown Denver at the Colorado Convention Center.

Pure Technologies Ltd. announced that Dallas City Council has authorized the award of a three-year service contract worth up to $8.5 million to Pure?s wholly owned subsidiaries, Pure Technologies U.S. Inc. and Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (USA) Inc.

The first IPWA Financial Tools Taskforce Meeting for 2011 will take place on Thursday, Jan. 20. A special presentation will be made by the World Bank on its recently published comprehensive report focused on private operators and rural water supplies.

Milwaukee is inextricably linked to water. The city lies on the shore of Lake Michigan and near the confluence of the Menomonee, Milwaukee and Kinnickinnic rivers.