Water Online Highlights

41. How To Ensure Chemical Metering Systems Are BABA Compliant 2/5/2026

    BABA has transformed chemical metering system specifications from a technical choice into a regulatory requirement. This article examines how domestic content rules affect pumps, skids, and components — and why early planning, documentation, and manufacturer transparency now play a decisive role in project success.

42. Where Breaks Happen: What 800 Utilities Tell Us 2/5/2026

    Which pipes fail most often — and where should utilities focus first? Drawing on data from more than 800 utilities, Greg Baird, Principal Consultant for Utility Financial Management at Black & Veatch, explains how pipe material, diameter, and age drive risk, and why smaller-diameter legacy pipes represent the biggest vulnerability.

43. No Surprises: Planning Safe, Reliable Shutdowns 2/5/2026

    Pipeline replacement projects leave little room for error. From the construction perspective, Andrew Beck, Regional Operations Manager at Garney, explains why detailed pre‑planning, clear shutdown strategies, and rigorous safety protocols are essential to delivering successful projects with minimal service disruption.

44. Find And Fix Starts Here: 4 Goals To Guide Your Program 2/5/2026

    Before jumping into technology or construction, utilities need clarity on their goals. Christine Ballard, Vice President at CDM Smith, breaks pipeline programs into four clear objective “buckets” — from emergency leak response to long‑term renewal — helping utilities define success before the first dollar is spent.

45. From Clues To Calls: Using AMI And Acoustics To Find Leaks 2/5/2026

    Modern “find and fix” strategies rely on more than visual inspections. CDM Smith's Christine Ballard explains how AMI pressure sensing and passive acoustic monitoring can detect leaks early, track pipeline health over time, and help utilities act before failures escalate.

46. Planting The Seeds Of Inspiration: Eelgrass Restoration 2/4/2026

    Restoring eelgrass beds is critical because they provide habitat for many kinds of marine life, improve water quality by filtering out pollution, and the plant’s root system stabilizes the sediment on the seafloor, protecting shorelines from erosion.

47. Protecting Your Plant's Water Systems In Winter: The Role Of Smart Boilers And Leak Detection 2/3/2026
    Winter in industrial facilities brings more than chilly temperatures; it presents real operational risks. Freezing conditions, sudden cold snaps, and icy environments can put severe stress on a plant’s water systems, boilers, and piping networks.
48. Using Biological Competition To Suppress Algae Growth 2/2/2026

    Effective algae control shifts the focus from removal to nutrient management. By leveraging bioaugmentation to outcompete algae for nitrogen and phosphorus, facilities can stabilize pH levels and dissolved oxygen, ensuring long-term pond clarity and consistent wastewater treatment performance.

49. Water Industry Pioneer Dr. James L. Barnard Passes Away At 90 2/2/2026

    The global water sector is mourning the loss of Dr. James Laing Barnard, a pioneering environmental engineer whose work fundamentally reshaped modern wastewater treatment. Dr. Barnard, widely recognized as the father of biological nutrient removal (BNR), passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026, at his home in Leawood, Kansas. He was 90.

50. PFAS Are Turning Up In The Great Lakes, Putting Water Supplies At Risk — Here's How They Get There 1/30/2026
    No matter where you live in the U.S., you have likely seen headlines about PFAS being detected in everything from drinking water to fish to milk to human bodies. Now, PFAS are posing a threat to the Great Lakes, one of America’s most vital water resources.