Aligning Land-Use Planning With Water Conservation
A new bill has been brought to the Colorado Capitol this month in the hopes to encourage local governments to include conservation measures for its existing water supply if it is identified that the city or town will require more water to grow. “In a state that hates mandates, this is a gentle nudge for communities to make sure they are planning for the future when it comes to water,”[1] said state Rep. Jeni Arndt, a Fort Collins Democrat who is bringing the bill. With a goal of 75% of Coloradans living in communities that have incorporated water-saving actions into […]
The Yellowstone Fish Kill: Water Management Wake-Up Call
Water is, unquestionably, the earth’s most precious resource: it is necessary for life. It carries additional value for communities whose economy is driven by its water sources. In 2016, Park County, Montana faced a wake-up call when thousands of fish in the Yellowstone River died and prompted finger-pointing from both the agricultural and the recreational sides of the community. In a place where water is an integral player in the economy supporting both agriculture and a strong tourism industry, any circumstance that would affect the water would jeopardize the economic livelihood of the region. As is often the case, […]
Louisiana’s Need for a Water Management Plan
Last week, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor released a report detailing how the state of Louisiana is battling water issues on multiple fronts such as water level decline, saltwater intrusion and other states wanting to use Louisiana’s water sources to make up for their own shortfalls. Auditor Daryl Purpera says the state is facing significant threats to its water resources and must act to develop a statewide plan in order to properly address them. One of the most notable highlights from the report says the state has spent $5.3 million on a dozen studies on water resources and management over the […]
The Business of Water in Times of Scarcity
Fears about future water supply often tend to escalate in times of water scarcity. In a recent article written by Ron Flemming, chairman, president and CEO of Global Water Resources, he reminds us that we all have roles to play when dealing with water scarcity, and water utilities have “a primary and critical role to serve in this regard.”[1] Arizona has taken initiative to manage its water issues for years—they’ve been forced to given the current conditions with which it is faced. The state has experienced explosive population growth while confronted with over two decades of drought conditions. In combination, […]
Trenton’s Lead Pipe Problem
Earlier this month, officials of New Jersey’s capital city announced a five-year, $150 million replacement plan for all 37,000 lead water pipes throughout the city. The announcement comes on the heels of another infrastructure replacement plan, this one from Newark, where 18,000 lead water lines would be replaced over the next 2 ½ years. Trenton’s water utility serves over 200,000 customers within the city limits and the surrounding communities. Due to the sheer volume of lead infrastructure needing replacement, pipes will be replaced in phases as the city and Trenton Water Works continues to gather the necessary funds for this […]