Water World
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Monitoring Groundwater In The Kootenays With Centralized Modern Data ManagementIn the heart of the Kootenays, BC lies the Columbia River Basin, where glacial deposits have created a complex network of aquifers. Living Lakes Canada, a water science and stewardship non-profit, is pioneering a groundwater monitoring program to protect underground water resources in the basin. This mountainous region, shaped by millions of years of geological forces, contains hundreds of small aquifers. Some of these are interconnected with each other, while others are connected with surface waters that serve as crucial water sources for the surrounding ecosystems and communities. The bedrock geology ranges from ancient metamorphic rocks to younger sedimentary formations, creating a challenging water management and monitoring environment.
In this complex hydrogeological landscape, many residents rely on groundwater as their primary water source, making effective monitoring not just beneficial but essential. Before Living Lakes’ program, groundwater monitoring in the region was fragmented at best. The province monitors several wells in the Columbia River Basin as part of the Provincial Groundwater Observation Well Network, but these do not cover the full range of aquifer types and climatic conditions that exist across the region. There are isolated monitoring efforts by various consultants working on different projects, but these data are generally not publicly accessible for collaborative analysis and are typically collected over short time periods.water
Mar 10, 2025
Water World
Asterra Launches Platform Upgrade For Leak Detection And Infrastructure Management WaterASTERRA announced on January 28, 2025, the launch of EO Discover 2.0, an upgrade to its SaaS platform for water pipeline leak detection and infrastructure management. EO Discover 2.0’s interactive, customizable platform focuses on the way teams monitor and manage assets.
The upgrade elevates the platform to an interactive workspace for all operations activity. The updated platform centralizes data in an intuitive interface that consolidates workflows, so every team member has access to the same information.
Early users stated they are appreciating the customizable views, which can now be tailored to each organization’s specific needs. The updated platform is a central hub that delivers critical insights for every team member, from decision-makers to operational managers, to field crews.
Additionally, the platform brings it all together with reporting tools, including key performance indicators (KPI), return on investment (ROI) insights, and sustainability metrics. Many utilities from around the world, including VIVAQUA, Anglian Water, and the City of San Bernardino Water Department, rely on the platform to maximize efficiencies and monitor infrastructure within their asset management programs.
The upgraded platform also expands personalization, enabling utilities to input organization-specific data for tailored results that accurately reflect progress and performance.
“The upgrades to our EO Discover platform transform how the world approaches asset management,” said ASTERRA’s Director of Product Jacquie Matzkin in a press release. “Now, all members of the team benefit from customized insights that allow them to make informed decisions for their system’s assets.”water
Jan 29, 2025
Water World
Digital Transformation Drives Maintenance Excellence At Elsinore Valley Municipal Water DistrictWhen managing hundreds of control valves across a sprawling water distribution system, accurate data and efficient maintenance scheduling can mean the difference between smooth operations and potential system failures. For Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), serving 163,000 customers across 97 square miles in California, the challenge of maintaining 385 valves at 150 sites demands a sophisticated solution to enhance accuracy, streamline maintenance scheduling, and improve asset management.
The district's infrastructure includes 14 active wells, 70 active storage reservoirs, 55 booster pumping stations, and 44 pressure reducing stations, all connected by 743 miles of pipeline. Managing this complex network spanning from flat city terrain to mountainous rural areas efficiently requires precise coordination and accurate data — a challenge that EVMWD has tackled head-on through digital transformation.
The journey began serendipitously when operators discovered a QR code on a new Cla-Val pressure reducing valve. This discovery led to the implementation of Link2Valves, a data management platform specifically designed for water utilities. Water District Supervisor Brian Vigil recognized the potential immediately, saying "We were keen to improve our valve maintenance schedule and the first step in this process is knowing everything we can about each valve in our system. Then we have a much better picture on which stations need maintenance or budget planning for replacement."
One of the primary challenges facing EVMWD was maintaining accurate, up-to-date information about their valve infrastructure. "The information for each control valve was not up to date and therefore inaccurate in our GIS database," explains Vigil. "As operators, we would have to work closely with our GIS staff to update each valve, which can be a long process, and some information can get lost in translation."
The implementation process began with hands-on support from their Cla-Val representative, who helped input nearly every valve in the water distribution system into the platform, along with information on installation dates, sizes, functions. "This was extremely helpful in getting us started," notes Vigil. The team has since been systematically adding specific pilotry and set points on relief valves and reducing valves during their quarterly site visits.
The new program has streamlined the district’s approach to data management. The platform allows operators to collect and store accurate information directly from the field, including photographs, valve locations, settings, and complete service histories. This real-time data collection has significantly improved the accuracy of their asset information and eliminated the communication gaps that previously existed between field operators and GIS staff.water
Jan 20, 2025
Water World
Digital Transformation Drives Maintenance Excellence At Elsinore Valley Municipal Water DistrictWhen managing hundreds of control valves across a sprawling water distribution system, accurate data and efficient maintenance scheduling can mean the difference between smooth operations and potential system failures. For Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), serving 163,000 customers across 97 square miles in California, the challenge of maintaining 385 valves at 150 sites demands a sophisticated solution to enhance accuracy, streamline maintenance scheduling, and improve asset management.
The district's infrastructure includes 14 active wells, 70 active storage reservoirs, 55 booster pumping stations, and 44 pressure reducing stations, all connected by 743 miles of pipeline. Managing this complex network spanning from flat city terrain to mountainous rural areas efficiently requires precise coordination and accurate data — a challenge that EVMWD has tackled head-on through digital transformation.
The journey began serendipitously when operators discovered a QR code on a new Cla-Val pressure reducing valve. This discovery led to the implementation of Link2Valves, a data management platform specifically designed for water utilities. Water District Supervisor Brian Vigil recognized the potential immediately, saying "We were keen to improve our valve maintenance schedule and the first step in this process is knowing everything we can about each valve in our system. Then we have a much better picture on which stations need maintenance or budget planning for replacement."
One of the primary challenges facing EVMWD was maintaining accurate, up-to-date information about their valve infrastructure. "The information for each control valve was not up to date and therefore inaccurate in our GIS database," explains Vigil. "As operators, we would have to work closely with our GIS staff to update each valve, which can be a long process, and some information can get lost in translation."
The implementation process began with hands-on support from their Cla-Val representative, who helped input nearly every valve in the water distribution system into the platform, along with information on installation dates, sizes, functions. "This was extremely helpful in getting us started," notes Vigil. The team has since been systematically adding specific pilotry and set points on relief valves and reducing valves during their quarterly site visits.
The new program has streamlined the district’s approach to data management. The platform allows operators to collect and store accurate information directly from the field, including photographs, valve locations, settings, and complete service histories. This real-time data collection has significantly improved the accuracy of their asset information and eliminated the communication gaps that previously existed between field operators and GIS staff.water
Jan 20, 2025
Water World
Sandy, Oregon, Reduces Water Loss And Saves Money With A Suite Of New TechnologyThe City of Sandy, Oregon, has about 4,200 service connections and a staff of about 10 people, only two of which are boots-on-the-ground water technicians. Roughly half of the City’s water comes from local sources, but with not enough capacity at the treatment plant to meet supply, the City also purchases water. To keep costs low the City takes water loss very seriously.Â
Joe Johanesen, water supervisor for the City knows that you can’t manage what you can’t measure. To address this, the City upgraded to Mueller Solid State Registers (SSR) with a complete AMI network with five collectors and six repeaters.
“Prior to installing the AMI system, meter reading was a very manual process, and it cost the city $3,000 a month for a meter reader just to read half the service area," Johanesen said. "The AMI installation has saved the City money, and those savings have gone back into the program to help absorb network and maintenance costs.”
It has also given the city the ability to get daily, or on-demand, meter reads as opposed to only once a month. And with the contouring topography of Sandy’s service area, utility staff can accurately read meters remotely in hard-to-read areas.
To help keep an eye on complete system usage, the City can also set water use limits for certain connections such as businesses with high water usage and nearby water districts that the city wholesales water to.
In 2024, the City began taking more steps toward modernizing its system, launching a smart city initiative to bring more intelligence to its utility management. Building on the success of its AMI program, the City started a new project to quantify water loss, identify and repair leaks, and optimize pressure management. This systematic approach would allow the City to target critical water loss areas and quantify the results and savings.water
Jan 06, 2025
Water World
Sandy, Oregon, Reduces Water Loss And Saves Money With A Suite Of New TechnologyThe City of Sandy, Oregon, has about 4,200 service connections and a staff of about 10 people, only two of which are boots-on-the-ground water technicians. Roughly half of the City’s water comes from local sources, but with not enough capacity at the treatment plant to meet supply, the City also purchases water. To keep costs low the City takes water loss very seriously.Â
Joe Johanesen, water supervisor for the City knows that you can’t manage what you can’t measure. To address this, the City upgraded to Mueller Solid State Registers (SSR) with a complete AMI network with five collectors and six repeaters.
“Prior to installing the AMI system, meter reading was a very manual process, and it cost the city $3,000 a month for a meter reader just to read half the service area," Johanesen said. "The AMI installation has saved the City money, and those savings have gone back into the program to help absorb network and maintenance costs.”
It has also given the city the ability to get daily, or on-demand, meter reads as opposed to only once a month. And with the contouring topography of Sandy’s service area, utility staff can accurately read meters remotely in hard-to-read areas.
To help keep an eye on complete system usage, the City can also set water use limits for certain connections such as businesses with high water usage and nearby water districts that the city wholesales water to.
In 2024, the City began taking more steps toward modernizing its system, launching a smart city initiative to bring more intelligence to its utility management. Building on the success of its AMI program, the City started a new project to quantify water loss, identify and repair leaks, and optimize pressure management. This systematic approach would allow the City to target critical water loss areas and quantify the results and savings.water
Jan 06, 2025
Water World
Nyc Dep Launches Program To Upgrade Water Meters CitywideThe New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced on December 2, 2024, the start of a program to upgrade more than 600,000 Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) devices across the city over the next three years.
The AMR device is the small gray box attached to the exterior of a property that wirelessly transmits water consumption readings from the water meter to DEP. This work will begin in the Greenpoint neighborhood and the upgrades to the existing AMR devices will provide several key benefits including:
The upgrade program is mandatory for all property owners and DEP will perform the work at no charge.
Most AMR devices are located on the exterior of the property so no appointments will be necessary to complete the upgrade. Residents may see DEP technicians and/or contractors approach their property and walk the perimeter of the building to identify the location of the AMR device. The DEP technicians or contractors will be clearly identified with DEP logos on their uniforms and will produce proper identification, including a DEP ID card, upon request. They will travel in vehicles with DEP markings and will never ask for payment.
Property owners are asked to:
Technicians may move garbage cans or open unlocked gates to access the AMR device if needed. Property owners must allow DEP staff or contractors access to the AMR device; failure to provide access may result in a fee. Once the AMR device is found, the technician will remove the old unit, install a new unit in the same location, and test the unit to ensure it is working. Upgrades take 15-30 minutes per property.
Technicians will clean up and take any/all debris with them. If the technician cannot access an AMR device, they may return during an evening or weekend. In some cases, property owners may receive a letter from DEP requesting an appointment to replace the AMR device because DEP must access the interior of the property to complete the upgrade.water
Dec 04, 2024
Water World
Leveraging Data To Optimize Shipping Through The Panama Canal While Protecting Local Water SupplyThe Panama Canal, a 51-mile waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is considered the most vital piece of infrastructure for the transport of international trade in the Western Hemisphere.
This trans-oceanic corridor, which reduces vessel travel time between New York and San Francisco by more than half, supports 6% of global maritime trade as a primary route connecting North Asia and the East and Gulf Coasts of the United States. In 2003 alone, 14,000 vessels transited the Panama Canal, carrying more than 500 million tons of cargo.
The Panama Canal’s lock system is reliant on water from the Chagres River, which is stored in two manmade lakes: Gatun and Alajuela. Water from the lakes fills a series of locks that lift ships 85 feet above sea level to Gatun Lake and lowers them on the other side, allowing vessels to move freely between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
Managing the water levels in Gatun and Alajuela Lakes is critical to the Panama Canal’s function with a single vessel transit using 52 million gallons of fresh water and an average of 36 ships transiting the Canal per day. Maintaining sufficient water levels is also critical for the 2.5 million residents of Panama City and Colón who depend on the Chagres River for their drinking water and municipal wastewater treatment. Hydropower is generated in Gatun and Alhajuela, mostly for internal Canal operations.
The balancing act of maintaining optimal lake levels is carried out by the Panama Canal Authority (PCA). The agency accomplishes this by collecting and leveraging vast amounts of data, which is used for hydrological modeling and forecasting, to support strategies to economize the use of a finite resource.
Scattered across the watersheds, 55 scientific stations collect information related to precipitation, water temperature, wind speeds, dewpoint, humidity, tides, water levels, and runoff. The PCA consolidates this raw data, along with S-band weather radar information in Aquarius, a software platform, that acquires, organizes, models, and assures data quality before publishing in real-time.water
Nov 19, 2024
Water World
New York Improves Water Data Quality With New Machine Learning TechnologyThe water supply system for New York City provides drinking water to almost half the state’s population, which includes over 8.5 million people in the city and 1 million people in upstate counties. New York’s Catskill/Delaware System is one of the world’s most extensive unfiltered surface water supplies. The city’s water is supplied from a network of 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes that contain a total storage capacity of approximately 570 billion gallons.
The reservoir levels are primarily determined by the balance between streamflow into the reservoirs, diversions (withdrawals) for water supply, and releases to maintain appropriate flows in the rivers below the dams.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) pulls sensor data from 445 locations every five minutes to monitor the safe flow of water. Some of these locations have multiple sensors measuring hydrological data such as water levels, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, turbidity, etc. All this data, as well as U.S. Geological Survey and National Weather Service information, is managed in Aquarius, an analytics software platform that water monitoring agencies around the world use to acquire, process, model, and publish water information in real-time. The data is used for operational modeling and daily awareness of what is happening in the system, so having reliable information is essential.
Data quality can be affected by various factors, such as faulty sensors, measurement errors, missing values, outdated information, or anomalies caused by maintenance, resulting in an unusual spike or a drop in data. Poor quality data in water flow management can lead to inaccurate predictions, inefficient operations, and water quality issues. To ensure reliable and effective water flow management, quality data that reflects the current and future conditions of the water system is essential.water
Nov 19, 2024
Water World
U.S. Epa Announces $156 Million Loan To Improve Water Infrastructure In Texas CityThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on November 15, 2024, a new $156 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the City of Pflugerville, Texas, to support drinking water infrastructure upgrades and continue to ensure that the entire community can rely on clean, safe drinking water.
“Upgrading water infrastructure is one of the best ways to support vibrant communities. Clean, safe, and reliable water nurtures healthy residents and protects the environment while construction work on these upgrades creates good-paying jobs,” said EPA’s Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott in a press release.
This WIFIA loan will enable the city to plan, design and construct three drinking-water projects. The city will expand its water treatment plant and increase the capacity of the existing drinking water distribution system by upsizing pipes, constructing a new secondary Colorado River Raw Water Line, and upgrading pump stations. Together, these projects will help the city meet current and future demand.
With this loan, the EPA and the city of Pflugerville are also announcing a $462 million master agreement, which will facilitate future low-cost WIFIA financing to support upcoming drinking water and wastewater projects.
Through WIFIA financing, the city will save up to $6.5 million in interest costs. By securing a $462 million master agreement, the city increases its funding certainty to implement critical projects outlined in its 10-year capital improvement program plan and will have the flexibility to draw loan funds at any time during construction to reimburse for project costs. As a result, the city can make critical water system upgrades while keeping water bills affordable for the community. Additionally, the projects will create about 1,200 jobs.
This is the second WIFIA loan to the city. In 2022, the City of Pflugerville was awarded the first WIFIA loan, totaling $52 million, to support the Wilbarger Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility.
“Congratulations to Pflugerville for securing this $156 million EPA loan with more to investments to come. Through this loan program and unprecedented funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is working with local partners across the country to address community needs and create new opportunities through water,” Pigott said in the press release.water
Nov 18, 2024