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On Tap in Washington February 2018

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | February 27, 2018

The President laid out key markers this month for his plan on infrastructure. Over the last few weeks, the State of the Union, the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2019, and the President’s Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America each addressed the critical issue of infrastructure. | More >

Harnessing the Power of Arts to Secure Our Water Future

Radhika Fox, CEO, US Water Alliance | February 15, 2018

At the US Water Alliance, we believe that the key to securing a sustainable water future for all relies on an integrated and inclusive approach to managing our water infrastructure and resources. We refer to this paradigm shift as a One Water approach. And we’ve seen how integrating arts and culture can help us reach those goals.  | More >

Federal, State, and Local Perspectives: Sustaining Water Infrastructure Funding

Suzi Warren, Program Associate, US Water Alliance | February 14, 2018

Across the country, communities’ needs for capital continue to grow as they rise to meet challenges like water system development and renewal, regulatory compliance, changing weather patterns, and the increasing costs of day-to-day utility operations. A big resurgence in federal spending is unlikely in the foreseeable future, so revenue from ratepayers will continue to be the driving force in water infrastructure investment. The wider issue of maintaining the funding programs we have that work, understanding the full cost of service and what that means for funding, and finding money through best practices are the guiding ideas behind the third policy brief in the One Water for America Policy Framework: Sustain Adequate Funding for Water Infrastructure. | More >

Trumpeting a Solution for the Mammoth Flushable Wipe Problem

Submitted by the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority | February 12, 2018

Nationwide, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) puts the total cost of sewer problems caused by wipes, paper towels and feminine hygiene products in the billions of dollars.  And with rags and wipes playing a role in as many as a third of sewer blockages in Albuquerque, the community’s Water Authority in 2017 identified the issue as a communications priority.  | More >

Agriculture Allies: How Agriculture-Utility Partnerships Build One Water Outcomes

Suzi Warren, Program Associate, US Water Alliance | February 8, 2018

Successful partnerships between the agriculture and the water sector are possible and essential to drive the nation towards One Water outcomes. The US agricultural system is globally known for its high productivity, quality, and efficiency in delivering goods that benefit consumers. Agriculture is also one of the largest users of water in the US, and runoff from agricultural lands is believed to be the largest single source of nonpoint source pollution in US waterways. This challenge is complex and requires meeting on common ground, building relationships with farmers, and developing mutual trust. As one of best opportunities to bridge the divide between land management and water management, this topic regularly arose in each of the US Water Alliance’s One Water for America Listening Sessions, and is the focus of Big Idea 2: Accelerate Agriculture-Utility Partnerships to Improve Water Quality. | More >

Regional Advancements in Watershed Management

Suzi Warren, Program Associate, US Water Alliance | February 2, 2018

Tens of thousands of water systems provide drinking water to communities across all 50 states. 51,000 to be exact. Most serve only a few thousand people, many serve less than 500. By comparison, there are only 3,000 electricity providers in the US. This fragmentation leads to many of the problems in the water sector, and was at the root of many of the challenges we heard throughout the One Water for America Listening Sessions. This led to the creation of Big Idea 1: Advance regional collaboration on water management. | More >

Assessing the “Raw Water” Trend

Dr. Ben Stanford, American Water | January 31, 2018

Recently, you may have seen or heard about “raw water” a trend that has been drawing some media attention.  However, the scientific community has responded quickly with facts that the public needs to be aware of. Raw, or “live” water comes from a natural source and is unfiltered, untreated and unsterilized. Raw water may be taken from a natural spring or other sources then bottled and sold. | More >

On Tap In Washington - January 2018

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | January 28, 2018

A regular installment from our DC office on the legislative state of play in Washington. Will 2018 be the year of infrastructure? Or is Congress' plate too full with other pressing priorities? | More >

On Tap In Washington - December, 2017

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | November 28, 2017

A new regular installment on our US Water Alliance blog, where our Washington, DC office will break down what is happening in Washington and how changes on Capitol Hill may affect water resources and regulation across the country.  | More >

WaterBuild: Where Green Buildings and Water Collide

Suzi Warren, Program Associate, US Water Alliance | November 28, 2017

Every year the US Green Building Council brings together 20,000 green building professionals from around the world for the largest green building conference and expo in the world.  For the last two years, they have turned their sights on water, and created WaterBuild; a full day pre-conference summit dedicated to discussing water. | More >