WEFTEC Innovation
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Water Trends, Now And Then
1/10/2024
Even though this edition of Water Innovations looks forward into 2024, I’d like to use this space to look back on trends within the water and wastewater industry in 2023. We’ve just begun 2024 — and we’re still in the thick of 2023’s issues, since they didn’t get resolved with the turning of the calendar. Furthermore, recent challenges inform future trends, as policy and technologies are devised and improved to confront the most pressing needs of the day.
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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.
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All For One And One For All — For Water's Sake
9/9/2022
Societal well-being is hugely dependent on a clean and available water supply, which is becoming increasingly dependent on community engagement and education.
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How Should Infrastructure Funding Be Prioritized?
11/11/2021
With the $1.2-trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill finally passed following lengthy congressional negotiations, U.S. water and wastewater utilities are in line to get help for solving some longstanding issues, from crumbling pipes and outdated treatment plants to modernizing operations for efficiency and resiliency.
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From Reactive To Proactive
11/10/2021
The Water Online editorial staff sat down for a brief chat with Lou Arone, Schneider Electric’s US Manager of the System & Architectures Team, Industrial Automation Business, as well as Vincent Puisor, Schneider’s Business Development Manager for Water & Wastewater in the Americas Region, to discuss water industry challenges and the solutions that Schneider has to offer. Below is our conversation, lightly edited for clarity and length.
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What Are The Biggest Challenges Facing The Water Industry Today?
11/10/2021
Over the course of three days in Chicago, the Water Online editorial staff sat down with leading members in the water industry at WEFTEC 2021. We asked them all one simple question: What is the biggest challenge facing the water industry today? We found their responses hit on similar themes, including aging infrastructure, climate change, aging workforce, innovation, and supply-chain issues. Below is a sampling of the responses we heard, lightly edited for length and clarity.
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EPA Reveals The Key To Clean Water
11/1/2019
Water and wastewater treatment plant operators may not always love regulators, but they should love what the U.S. EPA water chief had to say about them. Speaking at the “BusinessH20 Water Innovation Summit” in September, the EPA’s assistant administrator for water, Dave Ross, referred to those who clean our country’s drinking water and wastewater as “silent, everyday unsung heroes.” While not as celebrated as others who dedicate themselves to public service, such as police officers, firefighters, and teachers, they are every bit as essential — if not more so.
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The True Meaning Of 'Value Of Water' Awareness
9/4/2018
Observations from a conversation with Water Environment Federation (WEF) President Jenny Hartfelder
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Hopes And Fears For Our Water Legacy
11/10/2017
The world’s largest annual water quality event provides the setting for a public display of water affection — and anxiety.
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10 Water-Tech Winners From WEFTEC 2017
10/25/2017
For the second straight year, the Water Environment Federation Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) came to McCormick Place in Chicago, returning also to the city which launched WEFTEC 90 years ago. As always, it was a showcase of the latest technologies and ideas available in the water/wastewater industry, but each show also has its own "feel" that reflects the times.