During the next quarter century, water utilities in North America will face a number of developments that will put pressure on their resources, spur them to develop alternative supplies, and necessitate new approaches to how they conduct business. This article in the August edition of the AWWA “Journal”, the second in a series, highlights two of these trends—population growth and climate change. Read More
As reported in the October 2005 edition of the AWWA “Journal”, results are in from the second annual State of the Industry survey—a comprehensive evaluation of the water industry's overall health. “The State of the Industry Report 2005: A guide for good health” presents key findings from the survey, which included the responses from more than 1,700 utility personnel, service providers, and other individuals. Read More
Standard water industry tools—such as supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and modeling programs—collect and store data that are currently unrelated to time and space. As reported in Authentic intelligence: Automated decision-making through GTSM (AWWA Journal, November 2005), a new tool called geospatial time-series management can help water managers consider anything that moves or changes through time, such as rainfall, reservoir levels, treatment flows, and natural stream flow. Read More
The Kelowna Joint Water Committee (KJWC) consists of the five major water utilities servicing the City of Kelowna. In 2005, the KJWC recently updated the long-range water-servicing plan for Kelowna that was originally produced in 1995. The comprehensive report explores a number of water-related issues. Read More
By using a water model, the city can assess its water system and identify and rectify any potential deficiencies. Valuable information gathered through the water modeling exercise can determine how the distribution system will react to emergencies during high-demand periods. A water model also helps with fire protection planning. Read More
As consumers begin to demand environmental responsibility from suppliers of goods and services, the companies that respond positively will have a competitive advantage over those that do not. The result is increased revenues. But can businesses incorporate sustainable operating practices without greatly increasing costs? The answer is yes. In fact, by increasing eco-efficiency, costs can be significantly decreased. Read More
Water-centric means that we will plan with a view to water – whether we are planning for a single site or the entire Province. Water-centric planning considers the amount of water available, the amount of water needed, innovative efficiency strategies, the quality of water leaving the area, how rain and snow water are managed, and the impact on the natural environment. Read More
