The Western United States is experiencing a slow-moving crisis: drought. In fact, drought has impacted more people globally over the past 40 years than any other type of natural disaster, and it is the second most costly natural disaster in the United States,...
California
Water Service Line Leaks Waste Water, Imperil Health
Our communities have an aging infrastructure problem, and water line leaks waste trillions of gallons of water each year. Research has shown that water service lines made of materials such as lead, copper and galvanized steel will reach the end of their usable...
Public-Private Partnerships May Be Solution to Aging Infrastructure
Infrastructure is aging, the national deficit is growing and tax revenue has taken a hit from COVID-19. Many communities are wondering where they will find the funds to provide basic services to their residents, let alone address deferred maintenance on infrastructure...
What’s Behind the Raw Water Trend?
“Raw,” or “live” water has become trendy, especially in California and New England, and it’s dangerous. Raw water startups are popping up around the country, and people are sharing the locations of springs where raw water can be obtained in areas that don’t have...
How Much Is An Aging System Costing Your Water Utility?
You may think you’re saving money by delaying capital improvements and approaching repairs on a reactive, instead of proactive, basis. After all, addressing aging infrastructure is a pricey proposition. But so is losing thousands, or possibly millions, of gallons of...
Encourage Water Conservation with These Four Tools
Water seems ubiquitous – we turn on the tap, and it’s there. However, less than two percent of water on the planet is freshwater, and only 1 percent is available as drinking water – the rest is frozen. The United Nations predicts that two-thirds of the world...
Vulnerable Populations Important for Fair Housing Policy
In recognition of Fair Housing Month, Christie Myers, Managing Director of Opportunity Dallas, addresses the importance of fair housing policy and practice to vulnerable populations. “Fair housing practices help people understand what it means to be a welcoming and...
Veterans Find Healing Through Music
At its core, the American Patriot Music Project is about veterans helping other veterans. There is music, but, more importantly, there is companionship and acceptance, a fellowship forged along with guitars and chords. Among that fellowship, veterans can talk about...
Honoring Veterans Focus of Contest for Cities
In conjunction with the announcement of our new Veteran’s Hiring Initiative at last November’s NLC City Summit in Los Angeles, Utility Service Partners, a HomeServe company, invited cities to submit photos via Twitter. To enter the Heroes In My City Sweepstakes, city...
Rebuilding Sewage and Water Infrastructure Is Urgently Needed Publicly and Privately
That our national sewage and water infrastructure is in dire shape is no surprise to anyone – nearly ten years ago, the New York Times wrote an article warning of the then 240,000 estimated water main breaks occurring each year, marveling that, in some parts of the...