Beautifying San Antonio’s San Pedro Creek
San Antonio, Texas, is famous for its urban River Walk development along the San Antonio River, which was completed in 2014. A few years ago, local authorities decided to pursue a similar revitalization project for another downtown waterway, the San Pedro Creek. As of 2018, the ambitious San Pedro Creek Improvements Project is only partly […]
The Water Council
Headquartered in the Global Water Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next to the world’s largest freshwater system, The Water Council is a nonprofit organization that drives economic, technology, and talent development to support the global water industry. As the leading U.S. water technology cluster and one of the most powerful water technology hubs in the world, […]
Building Consensus in the Valley of the Sun
Providing water to the residents and businesses throughout the Valley of the Sun in Arizona is not an easy task. Meeting the varying interests of municipalities and utilities within the metropolitan region requires a unified strategy for water management. In March 1969, the cities of Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe created the Arizona Municipal […]
Developing Multipurpose Solutions for Atlanta’s Historic Fourth Ward Park
Storm rainfall can be a nightmare for municipalities with combined sewer systems, causing water accumulation in unwanted areas, overflows along streets, and localized flooding. Such was the case for the City of Atlanta in the early 2000s. The city struggled to accommodate unpredictable pressure during storm events, which often caused combined sewer overflows in and […]
Just Add Water
Historic photos of Salina, Kansas, show a city different from the one many would recognize today. Before the 1960s, the Smoky Hill River flowed through the town, providing a place for the city’s residents and visitors to gather, fish, and enjoy themselves. The river also powered several grain mills, making it a key economic driver […]
Water Is Life
Booming population growth is the dream for many municipalities throughout the United States because it increases residential development, business activity, and the tax base. Population growth can also present challenges, however, for municipalities with limited water supplies. There are consequences when population growth occurs faster than new water supplies can be developed. Just northeast of […]
Continuing a Legacy in the Upper Colorado Region
The western United States has experienced drought for many years. In fact, 2018 has been one of the worst drought years on record. With population levels estimated to double and even triple by 2050 in some western states, water supply issues continue to be a major concern. Reclamation’s Upper Colorado Region has long dealt with […]
Maintaining the West’s Oldest Retail Water Provider
Many of our nation’s public utilities face the challenge of adaptability. Aging infrastructure, increases in storm intensity, and the need to ensure a ready workforce are hurdles utility managers have to overcome to provide reliable services. Salt Lake City, Utah, deals with each of these challenges as it provides water, wastewater, and storm water services […]
Developing Flood Protection in California’s Capital
Since its founding in 1989, the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) has been a catalyst for the development of flood protection projects in the Sacramento, California, area. As the local cost-sharing partner, SAFCA continuously looks for ways to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the state of California, and the Bureau of Reclamation […]
The Importance of Water Dispute Mediation in Successful Water Management
Todd H. Votteler, PhD, is president of Collaborative Water Resolution (waterdisputes.org). He is also the editor-inchief and a cofounder of both the Texas Water Journal and Texas+Water. Dr. Votteler is a fellow of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. He is also a partner of Four Worlds Partners (fourworlds.org), […]