WIP Editorial

1. What Water Utilities Need To Know About Climate Adaptation 9/18/2025

   No one knows more than water utilities how changing climate conditions are impacting the challenges and costs of delivering clean drinking water to communities they serve. In a recent episode of The Water Online Show, climate experts Jesse M. Keenan from Tulane University and Edgar Westerhof of Arcadis discussed the issue of resiliency for drinking water and wastewater systems.

2. Securing Smart Water 9/5/2025

   The digital transformation of utilities is necessary and inevitable but also innately vulnerable to bad actors. It's time to discuss prioritizing cybersecurity.

3. Megadroughts Are Here To Stay, And U.S. Water Utilities Need To Adapt 9/2/2025
   Researchers warn that California and other states affected by megadroughts — periods of drought lasting 20+ years — will have to accept this as the new normal. That means rethinking the water cycle and finding new, more sustainable water sources.
4. Applying AI To Water And Wastewater Operations 8/26/2025

   AI is rapidly moving from hype to high-impact results in the water sector. In this Water Online Live event, DC Water’s Dr. Robert Bornhofen and consultant Gigi Karmous-Edwards joined Chief Editor Kevin Westerling to share how utilities are putting AI to work today, spotlighting real-world applications and research-backed use cases while also addressing concerns such as cybersecurity, data governance, and workforce implications.

5. AI's Water Problem Is Worse Than You Think (But It Doesn't Have To Be) 8/4/2025
   There's little doubt that AI is quickly becoming a powerful if not essential tool in our society. It's being used to help boost efficiencies and productivity in myriad ways — including for the research portion of this article. However, this productivity doesn't come for free. One of the biggest costs associated with AI is its demand for water.
6. Freshwater Disappearing At Alarming Rate: Study 7/31/2025

   Using NASA Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite data, new research shows that areas experiencing drying have been expanding at a dangerous rate since 2002, depleting available drinking water for 75% of the world's population and contributing to rising sea levels.

7. Designer Microbes: Can Synthetic Biology Supercharge Wastewater Treatment? 7/3/2025

   Exploring the potential of bioengineering as a pathway to pollution remediation.

8. A New Power Paradigm For Wastewater Utilities? 7/3/2025

   Renewable energy is great for the environment. Are power purchase agreements great for wastewater treatment operations?

9. Easing SRF Anxiety: Understanding Changes To Funding And How To Secure It 6/27/2025

   In a recent episode of Water Online Live, host Kevin Westerling was joined by Joseph Kane of Brookings Metro and Ashley Lucht of Quantified Ventures, who helped address concerns about recent changes to State Revolving Fund (SRF) allotments while offering advice for how to secure project funding. This article highlights the important insights shared.

10. Water Infrastructure Upgrades Create New Wave Of Contracting Opportunities 6/16/2025
    Water infrastructure and water purity are a top focus for government leaders throughout America. Across the country, cities and counties are investing in large-scale water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades to modernize systems, comply with tightening environmental regulations, and meet rising demand.