Every 4 years, experts with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE; Washington, D.C.) evaluate the overall condition of U.S. infrastructure how a teacher grades a student: the best funded and maintained infrastructure sectors receive an “A,” while chronically failing and under-supported sectors receive an “F.” ASCE’s Infrastructure Report Card traditionally ranks 16 sectors ranging […]
The National Municipal Stormwater Alliance (NMSA; Alexandria, Va.) is undertaking an effort to give stormwater its first nationwide grade and is looking for input by the end of November via an online poll. This effort is meant to support and compliment the American Society of Civil Engineers Infrastructure Report Card, increasing water sector coverage and […]
Several significant bills that would benefit stormwater infrastructure investments and management are moving through the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. More concern by Congress to avoid overburdening ratepayers about community challenges to meet water infrastructure investments has led to growing support for integrated planning. Stormwater investment in particular can be hampered by limited […]
On Jan. 11, 2017, Houston mayor Sylvester Turner sent in SWAT to solve long-standing drainage problems across the city. But instead of carrying out high-stakes military operations, this SWAT — the cleverly named Storm Water Action Team — will commence work on approximately 100 deferred projects focused on maintaining and upgrading Houston’s aging flood management […]
Embracing the concept of green stormwater infrastructure management, the city of Palo Alto, Calif., hopes to undertake a massive effort to revamp its crumbling storm drain system. The decision will go beyond simply more pumps and collection lines to encompass an entirely different way of viewing stormwater. Palo Alto Department of Public Works (DPW) officials […]
RE.bound program develops new resilience bond A team of private sector partners has released the framework for a new insurance-based product intended to generate capital for risk-reduction projects. The RE.bound Program, released Dec. 9, 2015, offers a new financial product called a “resilience bond.” These bonds are designed to help manage the financial risk from […]
On Dec. 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement requiring Puerto Rico’s government to upgrade stormwater systems operated for road and highway drainage. This settlement is related to another agreement announced Oct. 26, 2015, requiring the Municipality of San Juan to upgrade its municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). The Department of […]
On Jan. 13, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a survey showing that $271 billion is needed to maintain and improve the nation’s clean water infrastructure. This includes wastewater and stormwater infrastructure as well as collection systems. EPA reports that $48 billion is needed to correct combined sewer overflows, and another $19.2 billion is […]
On Jan. 6, the California State Water Resources Control Board adopted a strategy that advances stormwater management statewide. The new strategy views stormwater as a resource for present and future water supply needs. Unmanaged stormwater runoff presents a threat to human life and property, and it is a significant source of water quality pollution. However, […]
Virtual worlds similar to those experienced by game players of the global phenomena Minecraft and SimCity could be used to help test potential new water infrastructure development in the UK. Experts from the University of Exeter are pioneering a new computer platform in which water engineers can simulate how existing and prospective new water systems […]
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