Mark LeChevallier Articles

11. Israel: Cutting-Edge Technology From An Ancient World 11/13/2015

    As I recently traveled to Israel for the 2015 Water Technology and Environmental Control Exhibition (WATEC), I couldn’t help but feel the ancient history that defines so much of this country. How ironic that my travels were focused on visiting Israel to be enriched not by the past, but to map out our future… to be enriched by a world leader in cutting-edge water technology! 

12. No Room For Excuses; It's Time To Put Down The Plastic Bottles For Good 8/13/2015

    Did you know that more than 70% of plastic water bottles consumed by Americans end up in landfills?

13. How To Recognize, Strategize, And Monetize Water Risk 2/26/2015

    There’s no denying that conversations are readily available on all types of “costs” of addressing the global water crisis: the cost to the environment; the cost to be paid by future generations; the costs of not keeping on top of water infrastructure maintenance and reinforcement; the cost to private households, etc.

14. EPA's Upcoming Regulation On Strontium — What You Need To Know 12/18/2014

    In October, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a preliminary determination to regulate strontium in the nation's drinking water.

15. The Right Prescription For Disposing Of Medications 5/12/2014

    There are many pathways by which pharmaceuticals can get into waterways. When you take an aspirin, it all doesn’t stay in your body, a portion of drug is excreted in the urine or feces.  Research has also shown that environmental discharge of pharmaceuticals can occur during the manufacturing process, and waters receiving treated wastes from manufacturing plants can contain high levels of the chemicals.  Another known pathway is the disposal of unused medications, which presents water utilities with an excellent opportunity to engage the public in communicating the impact of responsible waste practices and the impact of these actions on our watersheds.

16. One Water: A Holistic Approach To Water Management 2/4/2014

    So far, water utilities have been successful in keeping up with regulations and maintenance, despite stagnant funding and uncertainty about when infrastructure could fail altogether. But the staggering cost to contend with these issues forces a new paradigm — how to best manage the ever-increasing demands on our water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure with fewer dollars.

17. Innovative Thinking In The Water Industry 11/20/2013

    When you think of luxury, what comes to mind? I’d be willing to bet that water doesn’t pop up when you think of luxury, but that’s exactly what it is to millions of people all over the world. Clean, safe, drinkable water is taken almost for granted in developed countries, up there with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

18. Sustainability And Resiliency Planning For Water Utilities 9/16/2013

    Most of our West Virginia American Water team had never even heard the term “derecho” before the summer of 2012. But on the evening of June 29, a 600-mile super storm devastated the state and presented West Virginia American Water with probably the biggest test of disaster preparedness and emergency response in its 126-year existence. The storm left 672,000 homes and businesses in West Virginia (more than half of the state) without power — some for up to two weeks. All but two of the state’s 55 counties sustained some storm damage or power outages, causing the governor to declare a state of emergency.