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Water Fares Well on the Ballot in 2019 Elections

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | November 22, 2019

After the election on November 5, most of the headlines focused on the Democratic upset in the Kentucky Governor’s race and Virginia creating the first Democratic trifecta in nearly 30 years. Water had a quieter but still very successful election cycle as well. Questions about funding and policy regarding state and local water infrastructure are often put to the voters in the form of ballot initiatives and bond measures, and we’re is proud to report a 100 percent success rate for water on such measures this year! | More >

US Water Alliance and Partners Release "Closing The Water Gap in the United States"

Radhika Fox, CEO, US Water Alliance | November 21, 2019
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I'm proud to share a new report from the US Water Alliance, in partnership with DigDeep and Michigan State University:  Closing the Water Access Gap in the United States: A National Action Plan.
 

JWW members attend One Water Summit, represent New Jersey

Lauren Belsky, Program Coordinator, New Jersey Future | November 8, 2019

September is “back to school” month for kids all across the country. This September, however, was also “back to school” month for the water sector. At the One Water Summit on Sept. 18-20 in Austin, Texas, representatives from all across the country converged to learn more about how to improve water systems, build trust with the community, and value water as a resource. | More >

Raw Talk: One Water Summit Highlights Need for Equity in Billing, Workforce Development

Robert A. Weimar, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority | November 8, 2019

In recent editions of this column, I have been focused on extoling the ability of the PWSA team to “Get Stuff Done” in our efforts to renew our infrastructure and increase our water distribution capacity. However, we also understand that we must make investments in people by dedicating time and resources to creating an organization that serves our ratepayers and our employees.  | More >

Imagine a Day Without Water 2019

Radhika Fox, CEO, US Water Alliance | October 23, 2019

Today, the Value of Water Campaign is proud to put on the fifth annual Imagine a Day Without Water. A thousand participating organizations have come together today to highlight how water is essential, invaluable, and in dire need of investment. Education and engagement through op-eds, trivia games, artwork contests, in-person events and more will help communicate the value of water to people who usually take water for granted.

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Equity Works: Louisville Leaders create access to opportunities through first-ever Water Equity Roadmap

Victoria Johnson, Water Equity Program Consultant, Jacobs Engineering | June 25, 2019

As water equity and its impact on vulnerable populations gains more national attention, water utilities are in a unique position to become leaders in achieving equity and access in underserved communities. Louisville/Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) has faced this challenge head on by releasing a water equity roadmap titled, An Equitable Water Future: Louisville. With support from the US Water Alliance, the report conducts an in-depth assessment of the equity landscape in Louisville and illustrates how utilities can build equity in Louisville’s infrastructure workforce and contracting practices, so that all residents have an opportunity to enjoy the economic and social benefits resulting from investments in the city’s infrastructure.  | More >

Progress in the Fight for Safe Drinking Water

Steve Fleischli, Senior Director, Water Initiatives, Healthy People & Thriving Communities program, Natural Resources Defense Council | June 18, 2019

California has a drinking water problem. A million people in the state lack consistent access to safe drinking water. Governor Newsom has called it a disgrace. So have many others. Because it is.  | More >

One Water in action: Austin Central Library uses rainwater to flush toilets

Jennifer Walker, Senior Program Manager for Water Programs, National Wildlife Federation | June 3, 2019

The Austin Central Library in Austin, Texas has gotten its fair share of hype – so much hype, in fact, that it was included on the Time’s 2018 list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places. And while its rooftop garden, Tetris-like stairways, elevated walkways and collection of 500,000 books are certainly awe-worthy, it’s something else entirely that has our attention. | More >

New Jersey Offers Two Model Tools for Municipalities Interested in Green Infrastructure

Ed DiFiglia, Program Manager, Jersey Water Works | May 22, 2019

The need for greater familiarity with green infrastructure as a tool to manage stormwater has never been greater in New Jersey. The increased frequency and severity of rainstorms in the state, and the flooding and polluted runoff they bring, are making comprehensive, innovative, 21st-century stormwater management strategies a necessity. And in December 2018, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued draft revisions to its rules for stormwater management. These updated rules move green infrastructure to the forefront by requiring its use as the preferred strategy for managing stormwater in new development and redevelopment projects. While the rules won’t be finalized until December 2019, smart municipalities are getting ready now. | More >

Happy Infrastructure Week!

Hampton Roads Sanitation District | May 20, 2019

May 13th through 20th is National Infrastructure Week. As your local wastewater agency, HRSD is responsible for conveying and treating about 150 million gallons of wastewater from 18 communities in Southeastern Virginia every day. This effort is highly dependent on infrastructure although much of it is out of sight. In fact, wastewater infrastructure often goes unnoticed because most of it is located underground. The wastewater we send down our sinks, tubs and toilets disappears without much effort on our part, so it’s easy to overlook the intricate infrastructure needed to get the job done. HRSD operates and maintain more than 500 miles of pipes below the surface that carry wastewater away from homes and businesses to the 16 wastewater treatment plants we operate in the region. HRSD uses the fees paid by local ratepayers to make major investments in the collection and treatment of sewer infrastructure in our region. | More >