Latest news with #waterutilities
Fast Company
16 hours ago
- Science
- Fast Company
U.S. water infrastructure is crumbling: It's time to revitalize it
In an age defined by self-driving cars, autonomous spacecraft, and artificial intelligence, it may come as no surprise that the science of effective water management often goes unnoticed. Many of us—especially in the U.S.—have grown accustomed to the convenience of clean, reliable water, and often take it for granted. In fact, most Americans engage with the U.S. water system only via a series of fleeting touch points—when they turn a faucet, water their lawn, or start their dishwasher—and have come to expect a seamless experience. And yet, behind the scenes, there is a complex, intricate network dedicated to providing safe and dependable water to hundreds of millions of Americans. But over the past several years, faced with unrelenting pressure, that system has started to crack. The truth is that water infrastructure across the U.S. is under immense strain. Decades of underinvestment, extreme weather events, and a huge increase in demand mean our nation's water system is no longer fit for purpose. Wasted water One of the most significant areas of concern? Waste. The way we currently use, transport, and capture water is tremendously wasteful. In fact, the U.S. wastes more than 6 billion gallons of treated water a day due to pipe breaks and leaks—enough to fill more than 9,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. Not only is that irresponsible, it's also incredibly expensive: Water main breaks alone cost Americans $2.6 billion a year in repair and maintenance costs. Across the U.S., the rise of extreme weather events has exacerbated these issues. When there is too much water for one system to take, like during a hurricane, communities face excessive flooding, erosion, inefficient stormwater management, and unsafe water supply. When there is too little—for example, during a heat wave—towns, cities, and entire states must navigate depleted aquifers, groundwater reservoirs, and, in the most severe cases, sustained droughts. Put simply, water management—our ability to effectively control and leverage water as a holistic resource—has become an area of critical importance. The good news is that we're not starting from scratch. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law in 2021, allocated more than $50 billion to water infrastructure projects, including $20 billion for safe drinking water and $15 billion to replace lead pipes. But much more is needed. According to the 2025 American Society of Civil Engineers report: 'In 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that the nation's water infrastructure needs stand at $625 billion over 20 years.' That exceeds the EPA's 2018 assessment by more than $150 billion. The reality is that if we want to future-proof water infrastructure for the next generation, we need distinct, separate funding streams dedicated to improving water management programs, addressing the existing shortfall, and ensuring that no American suffers the consequences of poor water management, no matter where they live. Innovation is required Of course, solving such an immense challenge will require more than funding alone. We also need to embrace the transformational power of innovation. At its core, technology significantly improves our capacity to understand, react to, and solve complex water problems, making the entire water network more resilient, accessible, and easily managed. Fundamentally, it makes the invisible 'visible.' One of the reasons this is such a complex problem is because almost everything is underground. Thanks to technology, we are able to remove some of that obscurity, generating a degree of insight that previously we never thought was possible. Nowhere is that commitment more evident than in the work being done across the industry to integrate and scale artificial intelligence. By combining predictive and real time AI-driven analysis, innovative companies across the U.S. are developing the tools required to detect areas of elevated break risk and allow cities and counties to prioritize repairs to the most urgent areas of the network. Cutting-edge companies like an AI software in which my company just invested that helps utilities create plans and do risk modeling, are a great example of that commitment in action, demonstrating just one of the many exciting projects we're seeing across the sector. But AI isn't the only technology changing how water infrastructure is managed. Today, digitally powered smart drainage systems can adjust flow rates in response to real-time climate data—helping to mitigate flood risk—and provide more control over when and where water is diverted. These systems can be integrated into major infrastructure projects, protecting critical buildings and reducing the potential damage to at-risk communities. Unfortunately, like with most technologies, there is no silver bullet that can address all the problems we face. Instead, what we have is a wide range of capabilities that, when used effectively, help drive down risk, mitigate major disruptions, and protect the most vulnerable parts of the network. The path ahead When you look at the challenges facing U.S. water infrastructure, it's clear that significant hurdles remain. But there are also tremendous opportunities. The continued onshoring of critical services (including the production of computer chips fueling next-generation AI) should provide our country with additional motivation to address existing water infrastructure shortfalls so that we can ensure our communities—as well as our manufacturing and services industries—have access to safe and reliable water, wherever they need it most. The time has come for the U.S. to pay back its water infrastructure debt, and give one of our most precious and economically important resources the attention it deserves.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Fluoride to be removed from South Florida's water supply July 1 as statewide mandate takes effect
Starting July 1, all of Florida will stop adding fluoride to drinking water in compliance with a new state law, prompting both logistical changes at treatment plants and questions from families about dental health. A simple process, big impact "In just three weeks, when you turn on the tap, fluoride will no longer be pumped into your water," said Ali Parker with Hollywood Public Utilities. "This is a mandate for the entire State of Florida, so all water providers within Florida will be on this schedule," Parker said. At Hollywood's water treatment plant, fluoride is currently stored in a large tank, with 65 gallons used daily to treat 25 million gallons of water. The chemical flows through a blue pipe, mixes with treated water and then is distributed to homes. "The night before, by midnight, we will stop adding fluoride to the water," Parker said. "Once you turn the pumps off and the fluoride is no longer being pumped from the larger tank to the smaller, then you can turn the valve off." Families left to decide on fluoride Supporters of fluoride in drinking water say it helps strengthen teeth, while opponents cite potential health concerns. Now, families must choose whether or not to replace the fluoride that's being removed. "As a parent who is uneducated about it, I want to do my research on it before I make any decisions for my family," said Katherine Fitzmaurice, a local parent. "It's important that kids have fluoride in their teeth because their developing teeth need that." Dr. Richard Lipscomb, a dentist with Community Health of South Florida, said there are simple ways to supplement what's being taken out of the water. "The recommendations are supplements, toothpaste that has fluoride in it and regular checkups with your dentist," Lipscomb said. As for the equipment used to add fluoride into the water, the city is still determining how it will be repurposed.
E&E News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
EPA aims to ease PFAS cleanup costs. Who will pay?
As EPA rolls back the first federal limits on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water, a new test for the Trump administration is coming into focus: How will it force polluters to pay for contamination? EPA's decision to delay and reconsider the drinking water regulation for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, will reduce costs for water utilities and consumers, Administrator Lee Zeldin said last week. It will be paired with other actions to 'hold polluters accountable,' he said. But utilities say the savings will be minimal, because the agency will still require the removal of two forever chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, from drinking water. Others worry that redoing the drinking water rule just finalized last year could embolden some entities deemed responsible for PFAS pollution to further resist paying for cleanup. Advertisement All told, the Trump administration has a daunting task ahead if it's committed to holding polluters accountable and stopping PFAS from entering water supplies — especially considering Zeldin's intent to cut EPA funding.
E&E News
13-05-2025
- Health
- E&E News
EPA mulls rollback of landmark ‘forever chemicals' rule
The Trump administration is weighing plans to roll back the first-ever nationwide limits on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water, with details expected in the next three weeks, attorneys for EPA said in a filing Monday. The administration asked a federal appeals court for an additional 21 days to finalize a policy addressing 'the most significant compliance challenges' with the Biden-era drinking water regulation for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Chemical manufacturers and water utilities have sued to overturn the rule, raising questions about whether the Trump administration will defend it. 'A short additional abeyance period is appropriate to provide time for EPA to decide on its planned course of action and for the parties to evaluate the potential impact of EPA's announcement on the issues presented here and confer regarding how to proceed in this litigation,' EPA attorneys said in the new filing. Advertisement The rule sets legal limits for concentrations of six types of PFAS, a group of human-made chemicals that may increase people's risk of cancer and other serious illnesses. The chemicals have been found in roughly half the nation's tap water, and EPA has determined that some of the substances are unsafe even at very low levels.
Malay Mail
12-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Tenchijin Inc. Announces Partnership with PWS in Malaysia for KnoWaterleak Distribution
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 12 May 2025 - Tenchijin Inc., a leading space technology company, today announced a partnership agreement with PWS, Malaysia's prominent water solutions provider, for the distribution of KnoWaterleak in key Malaysian territories as of May strategic partnership combines Tenchijin's innovative satellite-based water leak detection technology with PWS's extensive network and expertise in the Malaysian water sector. PWS, which currently serves as the exclusive distributor for global industry leaders such as Diehl, Nivus, and Aichi Tokei, will leverage its established relationships with major water utilities to accelerate the adoption of KnoWaterleak throughout collaboration aims to address critical water infrastructure challenges in Malaysia through:- Integration of KnoWaterleak's satellite-based monitoring system with existing water management infrastructure- Enhanced leak detection capabilities for water utilities across the three regions- Improved water conservation and infrastructure maintenance efficiency"Our partnership with PWS represents a significant milestone in our expansion into Southeast Asia. Malaysia's commitment to water infrastructure modernization perfectly aligns with our mission to revolutionize water management through space technology. Through this collaboration, we aim to demonstrate how satellite technology can transform the way we manage and conserve water resources. This partnership will not only benefit the Malaysian water sector but also serve as a model for sustainable water management across Southeast Asia.""PWS recognizes the transformative potential of KnoWaterleak's technology for Malaysia's water utilities. This partnership strengthens our portfolio of innovative solutions and reinforces our commitment to advancing water infrastructure management. By combining our extensive network and expertise with Tenchijin's cutting-edge satellite technology, we are confident in our ability to deliver unprecedented value to water operators across Johor, Selangor, and Penang. This collaboration marks a new chapter in Malaysia's journey towards smarter, more efficient water management systems."The initial rollout will focus on:- Comprehensive coverage of water networks in Johor, Selangor, and Penang- Integration with existing water management systems- Technical support and training programs for local utilitiesHashtag: #Tenchijin #KnoWaterleak #SatelliteTechnology #WaterLeakage #Sustainability #LeakageDetection The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About PWS PWS is Malaysia's leading water solutions provider, with extensive experience in water utility management and strong relationships with major water operators across the country. As the exclusive distributor for several global water technology leaders, including Diehl, Nivus, Aichi Tokei, and TECHNOLOG UK, PWS has established itself as a trusted partner in Malaysia's water infrastructure sector. About Tenchijin Tenchijin Inc. is a pioneering space technology company that develops innovative solutions for infrastructure management. Its flagship product, KnoWaterleak, utilizes satellite technology and advanced algorithms to detect and prevent water leaks, contributing to sustainable water resource management globally. Company Overview Company name: Tenchijin, Inc. Address: Room 3, Ground Floor, Block 2330, Century Square, Jalan Usahawan, Off, Persiaran Multimedia, 63000, Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia Representative: Yasuhito Sakuraba, CEO Business content: land evaluation consulting using satellite data About Tenchijin COMPASS KnoWaterleak Tenchijin COMPASS KnoWaterleak is an advanced cloud-based mapping service that leverages satellite data and AI technology to support efficient leak inspections for water utilities and contractors. Using data from multiple satellites and open data sources, it identifies high-risk areas for leaks within 100m square zones. A key feature of the system is its integration with digital water supply registers and distribution pipe maps, enabling centralized management of leak risk through a 5-level evaluation system. The intuitive interface enables real-time data monitoring, facilitating rapid leak detection and repair planning. Through regular registration and management of leak locations, the AI continuously reassesses risk levels based on accumulated data, improving accuracy over time. Field demonstrations conducted with the Cabinet Office and various municipalities in 2022 have shown potential cost reductions of up to 65% in inspections and time savings of up to 85% in investigations. The system has received high recognition for its technical excellence and ease of implementation, earning the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Prize at the 7th Infrastructure Maintenance Grand Prize. Special site for Tenchijin COMPASS KnoWaterleak For inquiries regarding the expansion of Tenchijin COMPASS KnoWaterleak in Asia, please contact the following: Asia Business Development Div. Contact: [email protected]
