Water Online Highlights

  1. National Wastewater Surveillance System Funding Appears Secure For 2026 2/23/2026

    The U.S. National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS), run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since 2020, appears to have averted a funding crisis when U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, into law on Feb. 3, 2026.

  2. Innovative Water Reuse Solutions With Xylem's Advanced Treatment Technology 2/19/2026

    Transitioning to advanced purification methods like UV-hypochlorite oxidation allows municipalities to secure reliable, local water supplies. These strategies mitigate drought risks and protect coastal environments by transforming wastewater into a high-quality resource for reuse.

  3. Study Reveals A Comprehensive Guide To IoT Integration For Non-Revenue Water Management 2/18/2026
    A recent study argues that the traditional, manual approach to drinking-water distribution-network monitoring and leak prevention is no longer sustainable. Instead, utilities must embrace the Internet of Things (IoT) to transition from reactive repairs to proactive asset management.
  4. The Water Online Show: Intelligent Infrastructure: Water, Powered by AI With Andrea DuMont 2/18/2026

    AI is everywhere—but what does it actually mean for water and wastewater utilities? In this episode of the Water Online Show, host Travis Kennedy sits down with Andrea DuMont of Bentley Systems to cut through the hype and explore how artificial intelligence is really showing up in the field.

  5. Produced Water Treatment Market: The Next Big Wave In Industrial Sustainability 2/18/2026
    With the rise of water scarcity, environmental regulations, and corporate sustainability mandates, produced water treatment has become a strategic imperative for industries far beyond oil and gas. It is one of the fastest-growing segments in the water treatment industry, which has emerged as an amalgamation of environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and technological innovation.
  6. Tackling The Trillion-Gallon Problem: Water Loss Reduction Initiatives Benefit Utilities And Consumers Alike 2/17/2026
    In the U.S. alone, 2.7 trillion gallons of water are lost to non-revenue water (NRW) every year, costing water utilities more than $6.4 billion annually in unrealized revenue. Given the scale of the issue — volumes and dollars — NRW presents an opportunity for upscaling utility management.
  7. Reimagining Wastewater Screening: Advances In Headworks Protection That Reduce Downstream Costs 2/16/2026

    Wastewater treatment plants are facing a more challenging influent environment than ever before, making effective inlet screening a much higher priority. Extreme weather is driving bigger and more frequent peaking events heavily laden with plastics and other non-biodegradable debris, while modern waste stream challenges like flushable wipes, pharmaceuticals that bind to solids, fats, and oils that form fatbergs, and a growing load of non-dissolvable materials are overwhelming systems designed for a bygone era.

  8. Why Vessel Design Is The Ultimate Performance Driver For Media Filters 2/16/2026

    Choosing the right media is only the first step. Vessel and underdrain design often determine whether filtration systems meet expectations — or quietly fall short over time.

  9. Putting The National Toxicology Program's Fluoride Review In Context 2/13/2026
    Despite renewed public concern over fluoride and cognition, the National Toxicology Program’s findings focus on high‑fluoride groundwater conditions — not the controlled levels used in U.S. drinking water systems. Understanding that distinction is critical for utilities navigating policy questions and community expectations.
  10. This Is The Water Meter Empowering Utilities To Build Resilient Water Networks 2/12/2026

    Advanced residential meters now deliver real-time insight and remote flow control, helping utilities respond faster to leaks, weather events, and operational challenges while strengthening long-term network resilience.