By Kris Polly

Our cover story this month features classic American ingenuity and entrepreneurship. When Michael Silveri founded Halogen Systems in 2010, he focused on chlorine sensors for swimming pools and spas. Then, he bid on a contract to develop a new kind of sensor for the U.S. Navy. After that, he moved into the ballast-water field, working with companies around the world. Finally, Halogen Systems moved into municipal water, finding that its accurate, low-maintenance, reagent-free, quick-read sensor was perfect for utilities. Today, the company has 24 employees and systems in municipal water systems around the nation. We interview Michael and his son, Travis Silveri, about what Halogen Systems can do for the municipal water sector.

Then, we speak with Erin Young, the water resources section director for the City of Flagstaff, Arizona. Boasting a water portfolio that includes surface water, groundwater, and water reuse, the city is actively pursuing further groundwater supplies and exploring direct potable reuse. Because of these efforts, Flagstaff has been recognized with an official state designation of adequate water supply for the next 100 years.

After that, we talk with Joe Mouawad, the general manager of Southern California’s Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD), which has just entered into an agreement to purchase surplus Colorado River water from the San Diego County Water Authority. In so doing, EMWD seeks to guarantee long-term rate stability and water supply reliability.

The Las Vegas Valley Water District has recently switched over to an advanced metering infrastructure system. As Dennis Demera, the district’s customer care and field services manager, explains, the technology is a game-changer that helps it rapidly identify and address leaks and water waste.

Craig Lichty was recognized for his contributions to the field of water reuse this year with a President’s Award from the WateReuse Association. His firm, Black & Veatch, is involved in many potable reuse projects around the globe, including the world’s largest—the Groundwater Replenishment System at the Orange County Water District. We learn more about the advances in the field of water reuse in our conversation.

Last, we hear a report from Les Merrill of Retego Labs about his recent experience at the spring fly-in hosted by pump manufacturer Watertronics. Mr. Merrill’s comments will be of interest to all who are considering taking part in Watertronics’ fall fly-in.

Advanced technology is opening up new frontiers for water supply and reliability. With chlorine sensors, advanced metering infrastructure, and water purification technologies that enable direct potable reuse, our industry continues to work to guarantee abundant clean water for the world.

Kris Polly is the editor-in-chief of Municipal Water Leader magazine and the president and CEO of Water Strategies LLC, a government relations firm he began in February 2009 for the purpose of representing and guiding water, power, and agricultural entities in their dealings with Congress, the Bureau of Reclamation, and other federal government agencies. He can be contacted at kris.polly@waterstrategies.com.