ARTICLES BY KEVIN WESTERLING

• Leadership In Times Of Water Stress: Answers For Pressing Issues, Including PFAS

  12/5/2023

  AqueoUS Vets (AV) is a water and wastewater treatment company with a unique name, one that references the service background of its founder while also invoking traits often attributed to the U.S. military — among them, committed leadership, such as that provided by AV's president and CEO, Dr. Mirka Wilderer.

• Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Getting Answers To Evolving Water Issues

  11/7/2023

  A review of the WEFTEC tradeshow, current and emerging water threats, and the latest water and wastewater solutions from the VP of a fast-rising treatment provider.
• Free Will And Cybersecurity

  11/3/2023

  Even with federal regulations mandating action for municipal water and wastewater systems unfinished, the commitment to protect the public should compel utilities to improve cybersecurity.
• Matching Water Trends To Technologies

  10/27/2023

  The CEO of one of the world’s most prominent water technology companies talks about solving far-reaching water challenges, as well as local treatment issues, through innovation.

• Racing Towards Sustainability

  9/8/2023

  As water and wastewater utilities come to grips with decarbonization, many have set ambitious targets to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. To evaluate progress across the industry, global water technology company Xylem commissioned a survey of 100 utilities. I spoke with Austin Alexander, Xylem's VP of Sustainability and Social Impact, to break down the results and key trends driving a greener water industry.

• How CERCLA Complicates The PFAS Problem

  8/29/2023

  As states and the federal government attempt to crack down on the proliferation of PFAS and their health consequences with a spate of new regulations, there is one significant upcoming ruling that will have tremendous impact for compliance and costs: the final rule on PFAS CERCLA designation.

• Video: Getting Off The Water Grid, With Membranes

  7/14/2023

  Membranes have long been proven effective for a variety of applications, but certain other applications pose difficulties for the technology, mostly due to O&M concerns. Next-generation membranes, however, have the ability to overcome traditional challenges — just in time to meet requirements for greater contaminant removal and sustainability.

• Water Pros Remain Optimistic Despite Mounting Challenges

  7/7/2023

  As they have for each of the last 20 years, AWWA published its State of the Water Industry Report recently, revealing the current concerns of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater professionals. The annual survey typically reveals plenty of year-over-year consistency, but this moment feels different.

• Doing Well By Doing Good: How Corporations Can Help Save Water And The Planet

  6/26/2023

  Some companies talk a good game on sustainability, but how many actually walk the walk? Protecting the environment and preserving scarce resources, especially water, is not just sound business; it's imperative to sustain life as we know it.
• Complete PFAS Removal: Are Current Proposals Enough?

  6/21/2023

  In this Q&A, a PFAS expert shares his viewpoints on the direction of regulations, as well as what can and should be done to root out so-called "forever chemicals" for good.
• Sackett v. EPA: A Collection Of Commentary

  5/31/2023

  The Supreme Court recently passed down its latest verdict regarding what constitutes "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) and therefore what waterbodies the U.S. EPA has — or, more to the point, does not have — the authority to regulate. Here, I've collected various sets of commentary and reaction about Sackett v. EPA and the impact of the court's decision.
• When Almost Perfect Isn’t Good Enough

  5/4/2023

  Despite statistically astounding performance, water and wastewater utilities have almost no room for error due to the nature of public perception and the importance of their work.

• Pioneering Utility Shares Insights On PFAS Treatability

  4/11/2023

  Horsham Water was one of the earliest and hardest hit by PFAS contamination. Due to their experience, they are also among the best at treating to very low levels. Learn about the "Horsham Standard" and what drinking water utilities can expect as they endeavor to meet the pending national standard.
• From Drought To Deluge: Gauging The Impact Of Western Rains

  4/10/2023

  For a number of years now, we have heard of dwindling water supplies in the western part of the U.S., but 2023 brought "atmospheric rivers" that (literally) flooded the Golden State and filled 12 of its 17 major reservoirs above their historical averages for the start of spring. It's a double-edged sword when such extreme weather arises, and obviously important to learn from the experience to better prepare for future events and plan for both resiliency and sustainability.