UTILITY MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

• The Industry Has Money, Technology, And Urgency — So Why Is Nothing Moving Faster? (7 Takeaways From The Water Week 2026 Press Conference)

  The water industry faces a critical disconnect between available federal funding and project execution. As workforce shortages and regulatory risks accelerate, stakeholders must bridge the communication gap to ensure long-term resilience and infrastructure stability. Hear from Water Online's publisher, Travis Kennedy, about these topics and more that were discussed at Water Week 2026.

• When Growth Outpaces Infrastructure: How The City Of Conroe Built A Future-Forward Software-Defined Water System Ready For What's Next

  For fast-growing cities, the challenge is no longer whether modernization is needed, but how to do it without increasing risk or complexity. The City of Conroe, Texas offers a clear example of what it looks like to modernize with intent, by addressing not just equipment, but the underlying architecture of water operations.
• Americans Rank Water Reliability Alongside Cost Of Living As A Top National Priority

  Reliable access to water now ranks alongside inflation and the cost of living as one of the most important national issues for U.S. voters, according to the 2026 Value of Water Index, the latest national survey conducted by the Value of Water Campaign.
• A Smarter Path For Small Wastewater Systems

  Small wastewater facilities face rising risks from aging infrastructure and tightening standards. Rather than pursuing costly total replacements, communities can utilize targeted engineering and process optimization to manage flow variability, reduce energy costs, and ensure long-term affordability.

• The Augmented Operator: Navigating The Intersection Of AI And The Water Sector Workforce

  The water sector is facing a convergence of crises. On one side, an estimated 30–50% of the utility workforce is projected to retire within the next decade, taking with them irreplaceable institutional knowledge. On the other, AI is no longer future technology; it is being deployed today for operations. These two forces are colliding at precisely the moment utilities can least afford disruption.
• Winter's Alarmingly Low Snowpack Offers A Glimpse Of The Changing Rhythm Of Water In The Western U.S.

  The April 1 snowpack measurement has long been the single most important number in western water management, considered a strong proxy for how much water the mountains are holding in reserve. But in 2026, that savings account has been woefully deficient.
• Why Colorado River Negotiations Stalled, And How They Could Resume With The Possibility Of Agreement

  The five most common sources of conflict between people are values, data, relationships, interests, and structure. The current Colorado River negotiations include all five.
• From Utility To Ally: Smart Water Management For Customer Satisfaction

  Smart water technologies improve customer satisfaction through accurate billing, leak detection, and data-driven insights, helping utilities build trust, reduce losses, and enhance operational efficiency.

• Florida Utility Saves 2,080 Man-Hours With Just 5 Sensors

  Continuous water quality monitoring helps utilities offset workforce shortages, reclaim thousands of labor hours, improve compliance, and gain real-time insights that enhance system performance and reliability.

• Designing Resilient PFAS Treatment Strategies For Water Agencies

  Water agencies across the U.S. are facing a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that poses a conundrum: Should they take a cautious or aggressive approach to treating PFAS contamination in their water system?