News

How the growing “One Water” movement is not only helping the environment but also saving millions of dollars

October 21, 2019

By Erica Gies, Independent Reporter for Ensia

The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District in Wisconsin had a problem. Due to tightening state and federal regulations, it had to help decrease the amount of phosphorus in the 540-square-mile (1,400-square-kilometer) Yahara River watershed. It was already removing 95 percent of the phosphorus from its wastewater effluent; new phosphorus level limits would require the equivalent of 96 percent removal. | More >

The credible case for One Water

September 17, 2019
By Emily Warren and Radhika Fox, for Trib Talk

The state of Texas is a behemoth. At some 268,820 square miles — from the Piney Woods of East Texas, the Texas Hill Country and the Texas Panhandle to the desert mountains of West Texas and the Texas Gulf Coast — the Lone Star State encompasses disparate climate regions, each with varied economic, social and environmental drivers. 
 
As climate change continues, each of these areas will change. As a general rule, scientists predict a significantly warmer and drier climate — with occasional catastrophic flooding. And water, which is the lifeblood of, well, pretty much everything, is at stake. 

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Building a water resilient future for all Texans

September 16, 2019

By Sharlene Leurig, for Austin American-Statesman

After heavy rains last winter and early this summer, Texas is seeing a rapid return to hot, bone-dry conditions. While we watch our lawns brown and wait for the rains to return, the age-old question echoes again, “Does fast-growing Texas, which is adding 1,000 new residents every day, have enough water to weather future prolonged droughts?” | More >

Louisville Takes a Jobs-First Approach to Water Equity

August 28, 2019

By Emily Nonko, Next City

The Metropolitan Sewer District of Louisville, Kentucky, might seem an unlikely place to jumpstart a conversation on more equitable cities. But after Mayor Greg Fisher made economic inclusion a priority of his administration, MSD’s chief executive Tony Parrott was inspired. He knew barriers existed in low-income communities to participate in the local water infrastructure workforce. In the face of climate change, as addressing that infrastructure has become more pressing, he wanted to prioritize hiring members of the community not traditionally recruited to that sector. | More >

Water access is a problem in the U.S., affecting minority and rural groups the most

March 22, 2019

By Dana Bate, WHYY

When it comes to a lack of clean water, many Americans think of the problem as one confined to the developing world. And, indeed, of the 2 billion people worldwide who don’t have access to safe drinking water, the majority live outside the United States. | More >

No Tap or Toilet: Over One Million Americans Lack Access to Running Water

March 21, 2019

Produced by Rob Gunther and Alexandra Botti, PRI, WNYC 

Broadcast Audio I Listen here | More >

Value Of Water Campaign Releases Three-Year Progress Report

February 22, 2019

By Pete Chawaga, Water Online

It’s no secret to those within the U.S. water treatment industry: the ability to deliver clean drinking water is wholly dependent on the nation’s infrastructure for doing so. But much of the general public is unaware of just how critical this buried infrastructure is. | More >

Why Many In The Great Lakes Region Can't Afford Basic Drinking Water

February 7, 2019

By Elizabeth Miller, NPR 

The Great Lakes are one of the world's largest sources of fresh water. But an investigation from American Public Media and Great Lakes Today finds the cost of that water has doubled or tripled. | More >

New York Times: In Echo of Flint, Mich., Water Crisis Now Hits Newark

October 30, 2018

By Liz Leyden, New York Times

NEWARK — For nearly a year and a half, top officials in Newark denied that their water system had a widespread lead problem, despite ample evidence that the city was facing a public health crisis that had echoes of the one in Flint, Mich. | More >

MPR News: How leaders are fighting a 'perfect storm' of water issues

July 13, 2018

By Kerri Miller, MPR News

How are mayors and other local leaders facing an aging infrastructure, tight city budgets and changing climates in the Mississippi watershed? | More >