Identifying Smarter Solutions to Infrastructure Challenges Using Optimization
Infrastructure projects are becoming more challenging as we address aging infrastructure, capacity issues, climate change, population growth and conflicts with other existing infrastructure. Optimization technology employs sophisticated algorithms, enhanced computation and automation to assist water utilities in finding solutions to these complex infrastructure problems that maximize benefits and minimize costs. In this webinar, we will present examples from Anglian Water’s Strategic Pipeline Alliance, a CSO Long-Term Control Plan and others with our partner Optimatics.
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Many Approaches to One Water: Implementing Integrated Water Management Regionally
Within watersheds and across community boundaries, utilities are tackling complex challenges in sustainably, equitably, and safely managing water. Addressing these challenges requires integrated, collaborative solutions that are specific to the regional watershed, beneficial to local communities, and rooted in the context of the global water cycle. Integrated or One Water approaches are not a one size fits all. In this webinar we will learn how two utilities – the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and Las Virgenes Municipal Water District – are addressing very different water quality and water quantity challenges.
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Leveraging Water Infrastructure Projects as a Catalyst for Urban Revitalization
Cities are archetypal ‘systems of systems’ – everything connects to and impacts everything else. Elements of cities – infrastructure, services, open spaces, community activities, and more – cannot and should not be addressed in isolation. Historically, this mono-dimensional approach has been commonplace. Recognizing, devising, instituting, and operationalizing a comprehensive, integrated systems-based approach to strategy, planning, design, and development of water infrastructure is essential to the future of cities; and cities are fundamental to the global attempts to properly manage the water cycle and address climate change and social inequities. In this “In the kNOW” webinar, we will explore the role of water infrastructure projects as catalysts for urban revitalization, presenting a case for this transformative approach and sharing actual examples to highlight its successes to date, while defining remaining challenges.
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State-of-the-Art Water Supply Protection
Getting the best possible raw water quality is fundamentally important to water treatment. Engineering higher water quality in drinking water reservoirs is practical and powerful. There are emerging methods to predict spikes in taste and odor compounds or harmful algae blooms days, if not weeks, in advance using machine learning tools. In this webinar, you will learn how Clayton County Water Authority in Georgia, U.S., manages water quality in its indirect reuse reservoirs employing state-of-art water supply protection within an integrated water management program.
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Planning for Recovery: Maximizing the Value of Federal Stimulus Funding
The American Rescue Plan Act, provides $1.9 trillion in relief to families, small businesses, and state and local governments to offset lost revenues and put significant effort into expediting COVID-19 vaccine production and distribution. An infrastructure bill is expected to work its way through the U.S. Congress in the next few months that will follow up with targeted funding for specific sectors of infrastructure, including water, transportation and others. Additional federal funding is being channeled through existing programs, such as continuation of federal contributions to low-interest loan programs for water and transportation sectors.
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What You Need to Know About the Lead & Copper Rule Revisions
The Lead and Copper Rule was initially promulgated in 1991 with minor revisions over the past 30 years. On January 15, 2021, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released Long-Term Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, which are currently undergoing a public comment period. The Long-Term Revisions will have significant impacts on the 60,000 public water systems required to comply with the rule. While aimed to reduce the risks of lead and copper, the revisions will add even more complexity, logistical challenges, and data management considerations. During this public comment period there are steps that utilities can take to prepare for some of these requirements, which can take a couple of years to complete.
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Awareness and Vigilance Help Prevent Cyber-Tampering at Water Treatment Facilities
Cyber-tampering is on the rise. Awareness and vigilance can help thwart an attack. Intentional cyber penetration into U.S. water utility process control systems by rogue nation states, insider threats (through intentional and unintentional attacks), and a variety of criminal groups have been reported. Cyberattacks have disrupted critical process operations in all industrial sectors (e.g., energy, manufacturing, water, transportation, building management systems, etc.) Consequently, these attacks have the potential to disrupt, or even compromise production or service.
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Reservoirs Underpinning Civilization: Challenges and Solutions in Managing Reservoir Safety
Dams and their impounded water storage reservoirs provide immense public benefits, including water supply, sustainable energy sources through hydroelectric power generation and flood risk reduction. With dam and reservoir operation and maintenance, it is often necessary to adapt to challenges brought about by changes in legislative requirements, engineering standards, climate and other natural hazards and public attitudes toward risk, as well as aging infrastructure. In this webinar you’ll learn how two owners approach dam safety and how Jacobs is working with them, and around the globe, to manage risks and public safety of existing reservoirs through organizational awareness, surveillance programs, maintenance and periodic upgrades.
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