Globally, the energy and transportation sectors are undergoing tectonic shifts, from scaling demand for intermittent renewable energy generation, to the emergence of electric vehicles. While the “greening” of these two critical infrastructure landscapes is not shocking, the underlying role of water in securing critical raw materials—lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper—is news to many. Key to… Continue reading Two Key Global Sectors—Energy and Transportation—are ‘Going Green’ but not without Water
Category: Our Take
To Flush or Not to Flush: Policymakers Take Fatbergs into Their Own Hands
Fatbergs, which are sizable masses of solid waste in a sewer system, are not something people want to think about. However, fatbergs are becoming an increasing operational and financial challenge for water utilities exacerbated by the pandemic and by lack of awareness. Limited public awareness of what can go down our kitchen sinks and toilets has led… Continue reading To Flush or Not to Flush: Policymakers Take Fatbergs into Their Own Hands
Changing Consumer Behaviors to Impact Water Infrastructure Planning
Predicting Demographic Shifts Is Key to Understanding Water Infrastructure Needs and Priorities. When thinking about infrastructure planning, on a macro level, one doesn’t often consider the impact of the consumer—in this case, the water user. This is especially true when considering that four million miles of underground, or “hidden,” pipes connect our communities. But it’s… Continue reading Changing Consumer Behaviors to Impact Water Infrastructure Planning
Decoding the Dump: Wastewater Data Offers Insights into Our Public Health
Wastewater epidemiology, not exactly a household term, has moved into the mainstream media throughout the pandemic. Just last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention touted wastewater and sewage as ‘the latest public health tool providing critical information on COVID-19 trends.’ From MIT to Kuwait, scientists are relying on epidemiology to offer insights into… Continue reading Decoding the Dump: Wastewater Data Offers Insights into Our Public Health
Beijing’s Winter Olympics Raise Water-related Questions
Beijing 2022 will be the first Winter Olympics to rely exclusively on “fake”, or machine-made snow, thus raising a number of questions, including how sustainable are snow sports such as downhill and cross-country skiing? So, in the spirit of the games, it’s worth taking a closer look at the connection between water, the Olympics, the ski industry,… Continue reading Beijing’s Winter Olympics Raise Water-related Questions
As Homeowners Get Smarter about Their Water, Key Stakeholders Are Rolling Out New Solutions and Strategies
The convergence of climate, technology, and new business models is transforming household water management. While only making up 12% of water usage, globally, household water management is now emerging as a discrete opportunity across a range of key stakeholders, from technology vendors to insurance companies to property developers, to address critical concerns including leakage, water quality, and inefficiencies. … Continue reading As Homeowners Get Smarter about Their Water, Key Stakeholders Are Rolling Out New Solutions and Strategies
Is the Global Water Sector Positioned for a Pivot from the Status Quo?
Albert Einstein once said, “In this midst of difficulty, lies opportunity.” This has never been truer than in the municipal water sector today. During a recent webcast, our panel asked a wide-range of Bluefield clients to rate their most challenging issue and where they see the greatest opportunity. Interestingly, “water infrastructure” was the answer to both. Admittedly,… Continue reading Is the Global Water Sector Positioned for a Pivot from the Status Quo?
Utilities on the Front Lines: Takeaways from Esri’s IMGIS Conference
The Bluefield team recently returned from Esri’s Infrastructure Management and GIS (IMGIS) Conference in Palm Springs, California. The conference brought together more than 500 Esri staff members, technology and service partners, and end-users from water and other critical infrastructure sectors, such as the electric, oil and gas, and telecoms industries. While water utilities are often… Continue reading Utilities on the Front Lines: Takeaways from Esri’s IMGIS Conference
Water Takes a Seat at the Table in New, Landmark Infrastructure Bill
The elusive “Infrastructure Week” has finally been realized with the passage of H.R. 3685, a US$1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that includes US$550 billion in new spending. For water, this is a significant FIRST step to tackle some age-old problems like water quality and aging infrastructure, in addition to the mounting concerns over climate. Given that… Continue reading Water Takes a Seat at the Table in New, Landmark Infrastructure Bill
To Remove All the Lead Pipes in America…First, You Need to Find Them. Digital Can Help.
The country is a step closer to addressing the longstanding issue of lead in the country’s drinking water with the bipartisan infrastructure bill that Congress advanced last week allocating US$15 billion for lead pipe remediation. Knocked down from US$45 billion, the approved funding for removing lead pipes from drinking water sources is US$17 billion short of Bluefield’s… Continue reading To Remove All the Lead Pipes in America…First, You Need to Find Them. Digital Can Help.
