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Due to the life-span of infrastructure, the complexity of components and the tendency of institutional structures to reproduce themselves, infrastructural systems as a whole are seldom reimagined. In addition, strategic thinking about possible system innovations is mainly done by the generations with extensive work experience. This whilst challenges such as climate change trigger the need for system innovation and are inherently intergenerational. This paper examines a method for “intergenerational reimagination”, facilitating reflexive learning within a generationally diverse subgroup of actors. This was done to explore paradigms for future system design. Building on the Advocacy Coalition Framework, descriptive, normative and explorative steps are developed. These steps include an intergenerational dialogue and carefully designed workshops, involving both young and senior professionals. The methodology was applied to reimagine the Dutch public water system, a design process which involved over 50 young professionals and resulted in three reimaginations. This process shows the potential for intergenerational development of possible paradigms for future system design. Moreover, throughout the process, policy-oriented learning was given substance. Finally, the study provided young professionals with a means to join strategic thinking at the semi-public level of water companies; a potential source of inspiration for other sectors and issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assays have a faster turnaround time and higher sensitivity than traditional cultivation methods for microbial monitoring. Challenges implementing ATP testing include incompatibility with chlorine quenching agents and hold time sensitivity, which are not well-studied. Chlorinated distribution system samples were collected from two Canadian utilities, Metro Vancouver (n = 40 samples) and Halifax Water (n = 283). No significant correlations were observed between heterotrophic cell count (HPC) and cellular ATP, suggesting these do not correlate well in waters with low biological activity (median HPC < 2 CFU/mL). However, interpretation of HPC and cATP results (based on the HPC guideline of 100 CFU/mL and cATP of 10 pg/mL) yielded the same conclusion for 95% of samples, suggesting a potential decision-making framework to replace HPC with cATP. Moreover, cATP correlates better with free chlorine (p < 0.04) compared with HPC for one of the studied systems. Importantly, adding chlorine quench (10% sodium thiosulfate) did not produce significantly different cATP results, nor did analyzing at various hold times of 4-, 6-, and 24-h. This study supports the integration of ATP testing into existing sampling procedures for water utilities, as a sensitive, fast, and reliable monitoring method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As urbanization has accelerated, the coverage area of water distribution networks (WDNs) has been significantly increasing, making the management of large WDNs more difficult. To manage WDNs more accurately, water utilities split them into district metered areas (DMAs) of different sizes. However, the design of static DMAs has limitations in hydraulic performance during abnormal conditions in a WDN. To address this issue, first, this paper proposes a method for optimal DMA layout based on the combination of the self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm and the Leiden algorithm, achieving the optimal multilevel DMA layout and obtaining boundary pipes between DMAs. Then, the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm III (NSGAIII) method is employed to select the optimal arrangement of valves and flowmeters on boundary pipes from multiple perspectives, controlling the opening and closing of valves to achieve dynamic DMA partition. In the case of L-TOWN, the results show that the employed method reduces the average pressure variance by 15.6% compared with Louvain algorithms in the optimal multilevel DMA, which also effectively reduces bad connections between DMAs. Additionally, the obtained dynamic DMA layout exhibits excellent hydraulic performance. Under the two abnormal conditions, including fire events and increased water demand, the resilience index increased by 42% and 16%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of water system operation, maintenance, and management (OMM) critically depends on the local workforce. Extreme environmental conditions, limited financial resources, challenging supply chains, and increased technological requirements especially challenge the workforce to equitably and reliably deliver such OMM services in Alaska. To better understand these challenges, this paper presents a metasynthesis of the gray literature regarding water system management in Alaska, with a particular focus on workforce development and OMM regulation. This synthesis was conducted based on qualitatively coding 49 documents that were representative of the full corpus of 183 documents identified on this topic. While prior work tends to focus on a single regulatory level (national or state), this metasynthesis reveals important differences that occur between regulatory levels of government. More specifically, we find federal and state governments focus more on standardization (one size fits all), while regional and local governments focus more on situatedness (tailoring for every circumstance). This may have equity implications for water utilities in Alaska and other Arctic regions where national and state standards drastically differ and overlook local needs. We find that this theme of standardization versus situatedness may generalize to other state water systems, especially those with similar conditions as Alaska (such as Wyoming and Montana), as well as in other sectors in Alaska beyond water (such as environmental management, nursing, and aviation). Given the multilevel governance of water system OMM, these findings suggest that training materials and programs, certification processes, financial support, and policy decisions could be more effective if they consider the local context in which these water systems are situated more, especially when local conditions markedly differ from national norms. Such an approach may help better ensure more reliable and equitable access to safe drinking water in extreme settings such as those in Alaska and in the Arctic, more generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describing a particular taste or smell is subjective. Tools such as word clouds, checklists, and regular training can help water utilities gather more reliable data to deal with taste‐and‐odor events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Takeaways: While sample collection to monitor drinking water quality is a routine practice, water utilities must be prepared to address emergencies stemming from contamination. Having a plan for collecting and analyzing water samples during emergency response or other unusual circumstances better ensures actionable results. Guidance is available to help laboratories prepare to support a utility's emergency response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the context of the water-energy nexus in drinking water provision, it is crucial to evaluate temporal shifts in energy efficiency. Utilizing the Stochastic Nonparametric Envelopment of Data (StoNED) approach, this research estimates longitudinal variations in the energy efficiency of drinking water services integrating multiple environmental variables. The analysis, conducted in England and Wales from 2008 to 2020, indicates that the source and quality of raw water, as well as population density, influenced the energy performance of water utilities. Quantitative findings evidenced marked disparity in energy efficiency among different companies, with an average efficiency of 0.617 and a range from 0.437 to 0.944. The dynamic assessment indicates an average annual enhancement of 1.1% in the sector, predominantly propelled by technical advancements (0.9%) rather than by improvements in efficiency (0.2%). This study emphasizes the critical need for bespoke policies and incentives to boost energy efficiency and support sustainable urban water management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many water utilities are at least occasionally affected by unpleasant taste and odour (T&O) in drinking water. For decades, aesthetic water quality has been of secondary concern to water producers, with water safety being the primary focus. However, there has been a recent shift towards prioritising consumer satisfaction, encompassing not only services, but also water quality, including T&O issues, which can negatively impact the supplier’s reputation. Starting to address a T&O problem until consumers’ complaints become massive is too late and puts water producers under great stress to take effective action in a timely manner. Rather, a preventive approach is necessary. The most effective approach is to include T&O as a hazard to assess and manage in the context of developing a water safety plan (WSP) for the supply system. The development of a WSP provides an excellent platform for including the stakeholders needed to control the source of T&O events, as this often requires multistakeholder cooperation. Our review provides a comprehensive guide to addressing T&O occurrences and shows how this can be included in the framework of WSP development. It identifies supporting tools and illustrates the information given with a number of examples from water suppliers’ practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy management in enterprises is an important issue in the context of improving energy efficiency, energy use, and energy consumption. This is consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the energy management system of water and wastewater utility in the context of sustainable development based on the opinions of managers and employees. The results indicate the involvement of the surveyed enterprise in energy management system development activity. This demonstrates the orientation of the surveyed enterprise to support activities to improve energy performance in line with the implementation of sustainable development. The added value is that the developed research tool can be used in studies of other enterprises to assess the level of energy management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the potential relationship between ownership and performance of water utilities is relevant for water regulators. Incorporating technological heterogeneity among groups of water utilities could solve any incomparability issues and lead to more appropriate policy implications. This can be done with the use of the metafrontier framework which assumes that utilities operate under different technologies. The study applies this framework to compare the efficiency of private water utilities (PWU) and concessionary water utilities (CWU) in Chile using Bayesian Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) techniques. The results indicated that PWU performed better than CWU. Nevertheless, both types of water utilities presented considerable cost inefficiency. PWU and CWU should considerably reduce costs by 34% and 48% using the industry technology as a whole, respectively. The methodological approach proposed in this study could be used to compare the performance of other groups of water utilities to support the decision making of water regulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statistical water main failure models that improve our understanding of main breaks may help water utilities allocate resources more efficiently. A variety of statistical models have been developed, but few actively seek to replicate empirical main break behavior. Furthermore, the prevailing conceptual model of how failure risk changes over the lifetime of a water main, which includes self-excitation, is based on limited empirical evidence. We investigate self-excitation and pipe aging behavior using data describing a large cohort of water mains, present a statistical model that includes self-excitation, and compare the performance of several published models both with and without self-excitation. The failure data suggest that temporal clustering is occurring, which may be caused by self-excitation; however, the modeling results suggest that including self-excitation in failure models may not be worth the additional required resources. Researchers and practitioners should investigate their data and assess their specific goals and available resources to determine which modeling approach is most appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The waters of the Nile River offer salvation amid the deserts of Northeast Africa, as well as competition and division between the rival states that share its basin. Ethiopia is nearing completion on the building and filling of the massive Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam at the source of the Blue Nile in the Ethiopian highlands. The downstream states of Egypt and Sudan believe that the building of this dam jeopardizes their Nile water allocations and violates colonial-era treaties. Interpretation of three of these colonial-era water-sharing treaties lies at the center of the debates. Egypt and Sudan must recognize that treaties not signed by Ethiopia cannot be extrapolated as binding upon it, while Ethiopia must recognize that the one of the three treaties it did sign is still binding. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam offers revolutionary energy and economic production, not only for Ethiopia, but also for the entire region. However, the three states must respect the historical rights of their neighbors’ peoples to the Nile’s waters. They must learn from other successful interstate water and energy sharing deals to actually seize the production in a cooperative way that betters the lives of all three states’ citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beginning in 2025, water utilities in the United States are required to conduct a risk and resilience assessment (RRA) and update their emergency response plan (ERP) every five years to comply with the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA). The RRA process focuses on critical assets and identifies risks from specific events or scenarios, while the ERP outlines response actions for hazardous events. Utilities can benefit from coordinating their RRA and ERP efforts, as well as their local hazard mitigation plan (LHMP), to increase efficiency and save time and money. Combining these planning efforts allows utilities to avoid duplicating work and provides a more robust emergency planning program. [Extracted from the article]

Key Takeaways: As the hazards of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances—widely known as PFAS—are better understood, regulations and guidelines for addressing them will continue to evolve. Water utilities play a significant role in PFAS mitigation by incorporating detection, monitoring, and treatment techniques into their operations. Many methods for PFAS analysis are in place. A detailed explanation and comparison of each can help utilities determine the best approaches for their particular circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Within the global sustainability agenda, companies must align their operations with specific Sustainable Goals (SGs) and develop corresponding budgeting strategies. This paper presents a robust multicriteria decision-making model tailored for a Spanish utility company specializing in water services. The model ensures that financial allocations reflect the company's vision and its interpretation of sustainable development within its service areas. This approach aims to promote objectivity, traceability, and sustainability in decision-making, as a critical component in achieving SGs. The article emphasizes the importance of aligning water companies' budget allocations with SGs, highlighting key indicators for consideration. It provides a practical illustration of how the company's financial allocations were synchronized with SGs using a multicriteria decision-making model. A case study is included, involving a budget allocation of 40 million euros compared across four scenarios with the historical average of budgets from the Past Three Investment Plans (P3IP). The results reveal significant variations in budget allocation across different infrastructure categories, demonstrating the system's robustness, such as a 70% variation in production infrastructures, 27% in transportation, 25% in distribution, and 40% in the remaining areas, depending on the scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

John Kingdon’s Multi-Stream Framework sheds light on the foundational conditions under which public policies get formulated and implemented. The coupling of the Problem, Policy, and Politics streams along with efforts by Policy Entrepreneurs opens the Opportunity Window for policy realization. Interpreting Kingdon’s MSF, a rich scholarship exists, which found evidence in support of this framework. Some instances of the opening up of multiple windows are found in MSF. However, two aspects remain unclear. First, what happens when multiple windows open, some of them could be opened by the opposing side simultaneously to the policy window? Second, no literature exists that discusses the application of multiple windows of the MSF. In this context, this paper takes the idea of multiple windows seriously along with illustrations from Delhi, India where we find that although a window of opportunity existed for the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, it could not privatize water supply. Our argument is that multiple windows opened up, some by the opposition that thwarted water privatization attempts of the state government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escalating demands on urban water sources present a formidable challenge to practitioners in environmental and social change to more effectively promote water conservation strategies. This study was based on pilot project learnings and aimed to determine whether a sign displaying weekly local rainfall data and turfgrass water needs could effectively influence a Florida (USA) community's water conservation. Three core data sources/methods were used: pre- and post-surveys, water utility data compared between treatment and control communities, and qualitative post-intervention feedback. The findings illustrate nuanced outcomes including the adoption of the rainfall sign as a central information source and some knowledge increases, contrasted with decreased engagement in the target conservation practice, no significant changes in water usage, and unfavorable perceptions of project approaches. Successes and failures of this pilot can guide professionals leading future residential conservation initiatives, which should better engage the target community and incorporate their ideas and needs into the project design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of paired samples were analyzed to determine if high‐precision lead isotopic fingerprinting could help identify the source of lead in plumbing materials and drinking water. Samples were obtained of plumbing materials (lead service lines, copper pipe with lead solder, galvanized materials, and brass fixtures) from water utilities across the United States. Lead samples were taken from the material itself, from scales, and in some cases from associated water. The lead samples were analyzed to determine the ratios of the four stable lead isotopes present. The results enabled the identification of relationships between various components and further aided in the identification of the source of lead found in water and in pipe scales. Isotopic fingerprinting, as demonstrated in this study, could be used to determine if a galvanized line is a galvanized line requiring replacement (GRR) under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (USEPA, 2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invertebrates, including Asellidae, are part of the natural ecosystem of the drinking water distribution system (DWDS) and are known to cause a nuisance to consumers. In addition, recently, the potential role of the species Asellus aquaticus (L. 1758) in the regrowth of Aeromonas bacteria was published. Aeromonas is included in the Dutch drinking water guidelines as a process parameter, and the guideline values are regularly exceeded. Although neither A. aquaticus nor Aeromonas is associated with health risks, the Evides drinking water utility shows a strong interest in the possible reasons for these exceedances and possible control measures. In surface waters, Asellidae feed mainly on decaying leaves that are abundantly present. These food sources are not present in the DWDS. Therefore, we determined suitable food sources for A. aquaticus in the DWDS. Laboratory experiments show that A. aquaticus individuals survive on biofilm on pipe wall material and loose deposits (sediments) collected from DWDS. Growth and survival rates on these loose deposits were even higher than on the positive control (decaying leaves). As the basis of these loose deposits is inorganic (iron deposits, sand, and pipe particles), the organic matter (living and decaying bacteria, protozoans, fungi, and invertebrates) must be their substrate. These experiments validate hypotheses that Asellidae can grow and survive on organic matter in deposits in DWDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1980's, the growing involvement of private consultancy firms in the public sector worldwide has instigated concerns about the outsourcing of public policy advising to market-driven actors. Although these firms participate in spreading policy ideas, their roles have not received sustained attention, despite being observed by a few scholars. Against this background, the aim of this paper is threefold. First, from established policy concepts relating to policy diffusion, we identify the potential roles that consultancy firms may take on in spreading policy ideas. Second, we use a systematic literature review to collect and distil what is currently known about what different roles consultancy firms fulfil, and what kinds of tensions arise in their interactions with both clients and other actors. Third, we draft an agenda for future research on consultancy firms' impact in governance processes. To focus our study, our review hones in on environmental governance, more specifically water governance, a significant area of activity for such firms where they play an important in-between role in providing policy ideas. We found indications that consultancy firms possess six types of capabilities (trusted facilitators, reactors to environmental policies, shapers of environmental policies, market drivers, interest navigators, and managers of public participation), and face various dilemmas around biases, decontextualized global practices, market interests, and manipulative practices. We conclude that more attention should be given to empirically refining capabilities involved in shaping policies and markets and to further highlighting how consultancy firms impact the diffusion of governance ideas in and beyond the water and environmental sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indicators are important tools for tracking the socio‐environmental impacts of droughts and building resilience to climate change. We begin with an overview of metrics used for water planning and drought management, with particular emphasis on the UK. We explain how considerations of cost, immediacy, access, consistency, relevance, reliability and others denote the suitability of information for developing new indicators. We then demonstrate the potential of Google Trends (GT) online search data as drought indicators for England and Ireland. We show that search terms such as 'drought', 'water butt' and 'hosepipe ban' correlate significantly with conventional hydroclimatic data as well as with newspaper reports of various drought impacts during the period 2011–2022. GT data also show evidence of rising interest in water saving technologies, especially for outdoor water use. Meanwhile, online searches for 'Defra' and 'Environment Agency' have declined and are more often associated with flood episodes than droughts. Interest in water companies in England is more likely around hosepipe bans than water leakage (although this varies by company). We discuss the implications of these findings for targeting information campaigns, plus prospects for monitoring drought impacts and public sentiment in near real‐time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tecnología y Ciencias del Agua is the property of Instituto Mexicano de Tecnologia del Agua (IMTA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Open Space Institute, and the Orange County Water Authority (OCWA) have announced the protection of 83 acres of land near Browns Pond to safeguard the water source for over 29,000 residents in the City of Newburgh. The land acquisition will help mitigate stormwater runoff and prevent potential contaminants from entering drinking water sources. In another article, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has allocated $4.9 million in funding to improve drought monitoring and prediction in the American West. This research aims to enhance decision-making and preparedness for drought conditions in the region. Lastly, a study from Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden reveals that psychological factors, such as disgust sensitivity, can hinder environmentally friendly laundry habits. Understanding the underlying mechanisms behind excessive laundering can help develop effective strategies to reduce climate impact. [Extracted from the article]

Key Takeaways: US Southwest cities can benefit from innovative conservation approaches to further reduce water demand amid rising population growth and drought driven by climate change. To ensure a resilient water supply, Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority has successfully used adaptive strategies for 30 years to improve consumptive‐use efficiency. The Water Authority's partnership with the city's Parks Department takes a holistic water management approach to meet water supply needs while promoting responsible usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how the laboratory is integral with the success of plant operations is key for operators to improve treatment processes and expand their knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the role of government-linked companies (GLCs) in public–private partnerships (PPPs) for urban water supply in China. GLCs are corporations in which the government has significant ownership, control and influence while being registered under the same corporate law as private companies. Separate from local governments that own water utilities, they form contractual relationships with local governments (or water utilities owned by local governments) under PPP arrangements, rendering them more accountable and profit-driven. We analyze an emerging PPP model in China's water sector, where GLCs serve as major investors, and assess their effectiveness and limitations. Our findings indicate that the involvement of GLCs improves water utilities' performance, and the quality of their water supply services, while offering potential advantages such as stronger financial capability, higher political risk resistance capacity, and mitigation of public tension. However, concerns persist about risk-sharing, political interference, and local government control. This research contributes to understanding the evolving landscape of PPPs in China's water sector and the potential implications of GLC involvement for urban water supply systems globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the relevance of governance structure for efficient revenue collection by Brazilian water utilities (WUs). Data were collected from the National Information System on Sanitation (SNIS) for 127 Brazilian WUs, covering a balanced longitudinal panel from 2018 to 2022. The governance structures evaluated included ownership (public or private) and corporatization (publicly traded or not). We searched scientific databases and did not find any studies on the efficiency of specific WUs in collecting customer bills for services rendered and its relationship with this type of governance; thus, this is the main innovative contribution of this study to the literature. In the first stage, this study utilized the dynamic slack-based model (DSBM) to assess revenue collection efficiency. In the second stage, an econometric model with generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to explain the efficiency. The findings revealed a global average inefficiency in revenue collection of 50.47%. Corporatization was linked to higher collection efficiencies, while ownership type was significantly linked with lower collection efficiency. Factors such as tariff accessibility, urbanization, and the COVID-19 pandemic also influenced efficiency. This study suggests that regulatory bodies should consider these insights to implement policies that prevent inefficiencies from affecting the tariff system for services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water utility crews, including those who perform system maintenance and operations at drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities, are experiencing the impacts of changing rainfall characteristics first‐hand. These frontline crews have relevant, experiential knowledge about changing climate‐related risks and adaptation needs that, to date, are not included in utilities' strategic climate planning or implementation efforts, resulting in critical knowledge systems and action gaps. In this co‐production case study with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), a municipal public water utility in Washington State, we use surveys and interviews to document barriers and opportunities for frontline crew engagement to enhance SPU's climate adaptation strategies to extreme rainfall. We find that 66% of crew workers perceive changes to rainfall intensity over the past decade and 59% report responding more to rainfall‐related issues. These frontline crews are coping with changes in extreme precipitation by increasing preventative maintenance, working overtime during major storm events, and doing more pre‐storm planning and preparation. Crews identified several aspects limiting their ability to respond to and prepare for extreme rainfall. To enhance their adaptive capacity, crews documented needs for infrastructure improvement, workforce facilities improvement, increased access to appropriate personal protective equipment, improved communication and coordination across the utility, and enhanced workforce capacity, including increased staff numbers. Findings suggest that for more effective, equitable, and responsive climate adaptation, water utilities should explicitly solicit and include crews' knowledge and lived experiences in adaptation planning while prioritizing strategies that enhance frontline crews' capacity and working conditions as a form of reciprocal action. Plain Language Summary: This study engaged frontline crews at Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to understand and inform how future frontline workforce engagement can be integrated in adaptation planning and investments including frontline crew engagement as a necessary part of a robust and equitable climate adaptation planning. Water utility crews are frontline workers because they may be directly exposed to climate impacts where they work. These frontline workers experience climate change impacts, including heavier rainfall, firsthand. This exposure has implications for climate equity. In Seattle, Washington, the City has made equity plans, community engagement plans, and climate action and adaptation plans, yet to‐date none of them explicitly include frontline workers' knowledge, experiences, or exposure as critical to understanding and managing climate change. Frontline workers are not just impacted by climate‐amplified hazards, but they are also implementers of climate adaptation strategies. These workers hold experience‐based knowledge about the effective management of water utility systems and knowledge of current climate adaptation strategies. This study, through direct frontline worker engagement, explores how water utilities can intentionally include crews' on‐the‐ground perspectives in adaptation efforts and invest in increasing workers' ability to adapt as part of reciprocity for incorporating their experiential knowledge into climate adaptation planning and action. Key Points: Water utility crews have experiential knowledge about climate risks that is often not integrated in utilities' climate adaptation effortsCrews managing utility assets like stormwater infrastructure already perceive that climate change is deteriorating their working conditionsIntegrating crew knowledge into strategic planning while enhancing crews' capacity is important for equitable adaptation in the water sector [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Materiały Budowlane is the property of Wydawnictwo SIGMA-NOT and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Managing aquatic ecosystems for people and nature can be improved by collaboration among scientists, managers, decision‐makers, and other stakeholders. Many collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches have been developed to address the management of freshwater ecosystems; however, there are still barriers to overcome. We worked as part of a regional stakeholder group comprising municipal water utility operators, conservation organizations, academic partners, and other stakeholders to understand the effects of low‐flow and drought on ecological functions of the upper Flint River, Georgia (USA), a free‐flowing river important for municipal water supply, recreation, and native biota. We used published literature and locally targeted studies to identify quantitative flow targets that could be used to inform water management and drought planning. Drawing from principles of Translational Ecology, we relied on an iterative process to develop information needs for the group and maintained communication and engagement throughout data collection, analysis, and synthesis. We identified three quantitative flow benchmarks to evaluate the ecological impacts of drought in the river. The results were valuable to both the water utilities represented in the working group and State regional water planning, which is used to guide water management strategies and permitting for the basin. We identified principles that were important for the successful engagement in the working group and helped to overcome the challenge of working across sectors and without direct authority guiding the implementation of our work. Interdisciplinary work and creative solutions are crucial to plan for and adapt to greater pressure on our water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrapped air pockets can cause failure in water distribution systems if air valves have not been appropriately designed for expelling air during filling manoeuvres performed by water utilities. One-dimensional mathematical models recently developed for studying this phenomenon do not consider the effect of blocking columns inside water pipelines. This research presents the development of a mathematical model for analysing the filling process in a pipeline with an undulating profile with various air valves, including blocking columns during starting-up water installations. The results show how different air pocket pressure peaks can be produced over transient events, which need to be analysed to ensure a successful procedure that guarantees pipeline safety during the pressure surge occurrence. In this study, an experimental set-up is analysed to observe the behaviour of two blocking columns during filling by comparing the air pocket pressure pulses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to conduct a strategy analysis to anticipate water scarcity and provide recommendations for the fulfillment of clean water needs through the Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM) piped-water service in a metropolitan city during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several efforts have been made by PDAM, such as uprating the existing water treatment plant (WTP) and planning to build new ones. The analysis covered the piped-water service target in 2021, customer water consumption, PDAM production efficiency, and the non-revenue water (NRW) in the city before and during the pandemic. Subsequently, the existing strategy and targets were analyzed based on the comparison results. The outcomes would serve as the basis for the recommendations to overcome water scarcity. The results showed that there was an increase in customer water consumption during the pandemic by 5% (147 L/person/day) from the normal condition. Considering the 35% piped-water service coverage target set in 2021, the existing capacity of PDAM has not been able to meet customer needs both under normal condition and during the increase in consumption. Based on the results, technical recommendations include uprating the WTP capacity up to 2.13 times, reducing the water loss by 25%, and utilizing backup unit system to prevent disturbance to water distribution for 24 hours. These recommendations must be synchronized with the Drinking Water Security Plan (RPAM) in the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to explore the implementation of ISO 55001 Asset Management System in small-to-medium water supply and sanitation utilities in Greece, with a focus on identifying their strengths and weaknesses in implementing the standard and discussing the managerial and policy implications of these findings. This study used a qualitative strategy in the form of a multiple case study, where eight experienced experts involved in asset management activities from four small-to-medium water utilities were interviewed. The study used the ISO high-level structure as a suitable study framework for the research. The findings provide encouraging evidence that smaller organizations are interested in genuinely substantial implementation of an asset management system, preferably a simple one that better fits their needs and capabilities, in accordance with the ISO 55001 standard. Moreover, the findings show that while smaller organizations face challenges such as lacking resources, bureaucracy, a short-term mentality, and political constraints, they possess key strengths, such as extensive experience, a commitment to asset management best practices, and an adaptive and innovative culture. The study's findings have significant managerial implications for small organizations striving for enhanced asset management practices.

This study aims to estimate the runoff volume by analyzing satellite data and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data utilizing a set of software tools such as (ArcHydro Tool, ArcGIS) to excerpt hydrological and morphological characteristics of Wadi Al Arab Dam basin with an area of 266 km² in Jordan. Natural data "soil and land use" were analyzed and defined by the curve number (CN) method with geographic information systems (GIS). The novelty of this study lies in the application of high-resolution DEMs combined with advanced GIS techniques to achieve more precise elevation mapping and hydrological flow assessments, which were previously less accurate in similar studies. Moreover, it highlights runoff concentration time and the minimal dissection of the basin, providing a better understanding of flood potential and geomorphological traits in arid regions. This fills a gap in quantifying basin hydrodynamics compared to previous studies. Results found that the total CN for the basin was 86.5. The drainage density of the basin was found to be 4.39 x 10-5 m/m², indicating less impact from erosion factors and less dissection. The concentration time of the basin was approximately 65.69 minutes, increasing the possibility of high flood potential due to the short distance traveled by the runoff. The relief ratio was found to be low at 0.018, indicating minimal dissection and runoff in the basin. We recommended the urgent adoption of high-accuracy digital data sources due to the precision they offer when conducting quantitative measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study introduces a novel penalty-free hybrid metaheuristic, differential evolution–krill herd algorithm (DE-KHA) a multiobjective algorithm (MOA) for the reliability-based optimal design of water distribution networks (WDNs). The selection mechanism of the DE-KHA MOA is equipped with nondominated sorting and density estimation schemes to obtain a Pareto front with diverse trade-off solutions. The introduced penalty-free scheme allows the algorithm to search for hydraulically functional nondominant solutions. With this implemented framework of the DE-KHA MOA, the WDN design problem is formulated with two conflicting objectives, (1) minimizing pipe investment cost; and (2) maximizing network's reserve through flow entropy (SF), a surrogate reliability measure. The application and computational efficiency of the proposed MOA are demonstrated by employing two well-established benchmark case studies. Parallelly a trial-based approach for conducting sensitivity analysis for MOAs is demonstrated. The computational results manifest the efficacy of the penalty-free DE-KHA MOA in resulting in the Pareto front comprising the hydraulic feasible nondominant solutions of disparate trade-off relationships. As well, the results highlight the applicability of the proposed sensitivity analysis approach in improving the convergence behavior of the MOA. Following the reliability-based design, to assess the flexibility of the solved nondominant solutions under critical scenarios above design standards, the study performed a posterior performance investigation using pressure-driven analysis. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach with supported subjective knowledge in selecting robust design alternatives that are mechanically and hydraulically reliable. Moreover, the proposed approach eases the effort and perplexing state of handling increased nondominant design options with larger-size WDNs. Practical Applications: The present study introduces a computationally efficient multiobjective algorithm for the economical and reliable design of water distribution networks. By considering the reliability measure (flow entropy) in the design framework, the study focuses on proposing design alternatives for water utilities with inherent redundancy and tolerance to failures (mechanical). Following optimal design, the study proposes a performance investigation model that is useful in assessing the network's integrity, detailing the quantitative and qualitative performance of alternate designs in the face of uncertainties. This particular framework is notably more useful in proposing water utilities, a set of economical yet robust (flexible) design alternatives, which quickly adapt to uncertainties. As well, the proposed design approach eases the effort of designers in handling the increased design options with larger-size networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study excavates the experts, ideas and methods behind the earliest water utility performance benchmarking efforts initiated in the 1990s using archive materials and secondary sources. The results contend that benchmarking is public sector reform by other means. Quantification allows performance benchmarking to escape the scrutiny and controversy that follows market-led reform, even though both privilege economic efficiency at the expense of distributional equity. Benchmarking experts advance economisation, a process that, through economic reasoning, metrics and quantitative comparisons, transforms water utilities into calculative Pareto-maximising entities that privilege existing consumers to the detriment of the unserved. Economisation is not inevitable, however. Heterodox experts can choose different benchmarking methods to advance alternative values. Two professors in India, for instance, introduced explicitly equity-focused indicators into the country’s water utility benchmarking system, challenging the prevailing orthodoxy. Nonetheless, while fairer benchmarking systems have the potential to reduce resource inequities, they also risk domesticating power relations.

Cybersecurity threats to water utilities have accelerated in 2024 as Iranian, Chinese, and Russian threat actors increasingly target these critical systems. A spate of apparent joy-riding intrusions of rural water [...]

In an increasingly uncertain world, with internal risks and external social, economic and geopolitical threats to organizational development and automation looming overhead, CSOs have been adopting strategies to be prepared [...]

Water utilities are facing significant challenges, such as supplying, with less water resources, more and more water due to population growth, amid the current scenario of climate change. In this context, urban water systems represent a crucial component of global public infrastructure for water utilities, with municipalities entrusted with the responsibility of managing and enhancing them for both current and future generations. The main challenge arises when these infrastructures inevitably age and deteriorate, significantly increasing water losses. Since it is unrealistic and unnecessary to rehabilitate and/or replace all pipes in an existing water distribution system, this manuscript is focused on identifying the independent key parameters which can be used to detect reinforced concrete pipe deterioration. To this end, the variables that affect mechanical properties are narrowed down, and the most significant factors crucial for pipe failure are identified. In this process, reinforced concrete pipe samples were collected to characterize them based on a set of potential key parameters. All potential key parameters were analyzed, with the objectives of identifying which key parameters were significant for the model and determining the interactions among them. All data were stored in a dataset which was used to generate a predictive model to estimate average concrete strength and pipe condition assessment versus independent key parameters. The predictive model, utilizing a design of experiments (DoE) and based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA), could estimate the average concrete strength with an accuracy of around 90%, and the external porosity was found to be the main factor. On the other hand, it was also possible to estimate a range of porosity values for the purpose of maintaining the reinforced concrete pipe in optimal condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, scale deposition in water supply pipelines is one of the major problems faced by water utilities. This research aimed to determine the causes and effects of scale deposition in the water supply pipelines in Surakarta City, Indonesia. The total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, manganese, and alkalinity in groundwater were higher than those in the surface water and spring water; thus, the supply areas from groundwater were identified using TDS at the taps. The three scaling indicators, i.e., the Langelier saturation index (LSI), the Ryznar stability index (RSI), and the Puckorius scaling index (PSI), indicated moderate calcium carbonate scaling. However, elemental analysis of eight scale samples using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) revealed that the major components of scale were either manganese (50.1–80.8%) or iron (45.6–63.8%), whereas calcium (3.0–7.8%) was a minor component. Because only five of twenty groundwater sources were chlorinated before distribution, it is estimated that dissolved manganese is oxidized by manganese-oxidizing bacteria. The manganese deposition rate in the networks was estimated to be 1660 kg/year using the manganese concentration at groundwater sources and in customers' taps. These results suggest the importance of the elemental analysis of scale and avoidance of overreliance on scale indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The critical importance of water makes it an indispensable natural resource. In context of urban infrastructure, particularly in the developing world, supplying water to urban households poses a notable challenge. Optimizing water supply systems (WSS) is one of the most arduous challenges in addressing this issue, primary contributors being energy and water losses during supply process. This paper focuses on the method adopted for minimizing losses in WSSs and creating a self-sustainable model for water supply in the urban settlement of Dehradun, India. The solution entails deployment of Energy Savings Companies (ESCO) service delivery model and the utilization of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. This approach, thus far has yielded saving in both revenue, energy and water consumption at source, potentially generating saving that would enable covering the operational and maintenance changes for the established system for around 10 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In tropical African cities where the water utility has developed groundwater, the public supply usually offers a better service at lower cost, as this resource is more climate change-resilient and allows phased capital investment. Among the more affluent, private waterwells are increasingly used with numerous consequences. Accessing groundwater is generally beyond the financial reach of the urban poor. The way forward must be to integrate utility and private investments and piped and non-piped solutions. To facilitate this, greater 'water resource awareness' by water utilities, and partnership with resource regulators and knowledge centres (together modifications to their mandate), will be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of urban water supply systems and public services is globally recognized. Nonrevenue water directly affects a water utility's economic, financial, and environmental sustainability. In Portugal, the mean of the nonrevenue water for the distribution systems corresponded to 28.8% in 2019. Smart metering technology is crucial for consumption monitoring and enhancing apparent and real loss network management (e.g., water meters' global error evaluation, detection of illegal uses, and real loss estimation through the minimum night flow analysis). However, this technology is expensive in acquisition, installation, operation, and maintenance. This study aims to support water utilities in inferring the total consumption using a representative sample of customers with smart meters instead of smart metering data from all customers. A stratified sampling was considered using only the customers' billing time series for the strata definition. A predominantly domestic zone was used, and eight strata were obtained with a clustering analysis [temporal correlation (CORT) dissimilarity and Ward method]. Stratified sampling was applied to minimize the variance of the total water consumption estimator. A representative sample of 259 dimensions (53%) was chosen to infer, with small errors, essential consumption statistics for water utilities: total consumption (with an error of 0.12%), total consumption time series, water consumption patterns, minimum night consumption, and volume distribution by the flow rate. The successful outcomes obtained were crucial in supporting the proposed methodology. This study has provided evidence that installing smart meters for all consumers in a distribution network area is not necessary to acquire accurate and meaningful consumption information crucial for effective network management and water loss control. Moreover, using only billing data to perform the sample selection of consumers is useful for water utilities, because they may face difficulties obtaining extra consumer information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maximizing the net economic benefits of leak management programs provides the most value to water utilities and their customers. Leak management programs with alternative objectives (e.g., to "break even" or to maximize leak reduction) are not necessarily the most efficient use of resources. Combining hydraulic modeling with principles of economics and using a real distribution system to provide a case study, we present a methodology for maximizing the net economic benefits of a leak management program consisting of leak detection and repair activities and pressure management interventions. The optimization results include recommended leak detection and repair intervals for individual district metered areas, optimal siting of both pressure reducing valves and pumps-as-turbines (PATs), and modifications to the distribution system's connectivity to isolate high-pressure areas. The case study results indicate that 10% to 11% of the system's current energy use can be recovered by PATs and that the avoided leakage over the study period is equivalent to 13% to 23% of the system's current customer demand. While leak detection and repair and pressure management are more commonly considered independently, this analysis demonstrates the feasibility of including their interdependencies when optimizing a leak management program, resulting in more useful recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban drinking water systems in the US face diverse challenges and stressors, threatening their ability to reliably provide safe, affordable drinking water. To effectively address these challenges, utilities must understand the complex relationships among the community, biophysical, infrastructural, and institutional attributes of their system and how they impact overall system performance. In this study, we conduct a comparative case study analysis of 16 large-scale US urban drinking water systems to identify underlying conditions associated with the provision of both affordable and high-quality drinking water. Using qualitative comparative analysis and nonnegative matrix factorization to analyze clusters of conditions related to diverse system attributes, we find that community attributes, including moderate population growth and low poverty, play a significant role in shaping affordability and quality (AQ) outcomes. Moreover, there is an association between biophysical challenges and the development of robust institutional and infrastructural attributes. Cities confronted by marked biophysical challenges seem to be at the forefront in fostering adaptive institutional frameworks and proactive infrastructural measures. Concurrently, our study reveals that a water utility's commitment to conservation measures also impacts its performance in provision of affordable and high quality water. The study improves our understanding of the relationships between various attributes affecting the provision of affordable and high-quality urban drinking water. This can aid utilities in identifying pathways to ensure adequate service under increasing stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A probabilistic approach that considers the entire lifecycle cost of the water pipeline, accounting for deterioration rate, failure consequences, cost of rehabilitation, accuracy and cost of inspection/condition assessment, cost of emergency repair versus planned intervention and cost of total pipe replacement was introduced in an earlier paper. The approach allows us to combine expert-opinion (semi-informative assessment) with hard field data. New hard field data (e.g., failure events, inspection/condition assessment results) continually become available throughout the life of the pipeline. This incoming data stream can be incorporated into the analysis to provide robust, well-informed and reproducible assessment of deterioration rate and remaining life. The framework was implemented in an MS-Excel-based decision support tool, referred to as pipeline inspection decision analyzer (PIDA). This paper demonstrates the practical application of the proposed framework in the real world through comprehensive case studies, data for which were obtained from collaborating Canadian and US water utilities and pipeline owners. As is always the case in reality, most pipeline owners did not have all the required data to carry out a fully informed analysis. We illustrate how one might deal with missing data, how PIDA may be used to arrive at well-supported, rational decisions on when to deploy inspection and condition assessment, what techniques/technologies to select among competing ones and when it is time to stop assessing the pipeline condition and plan for replacement. Sensitivity analyses are also conducted to explore how various assumptions, necessitated by uncertainty, may impact analysis results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]