All Water is Local: Western U.S. Cities Proactively Approaching Climate Mitigation While Tackling Drought

You would have to be under a rock not to know that the Western United States is undergoing a period of historic drought. In fact, approximately 55% of the West is currently experiencing severe, extreme, or exceptional drought. Because of their unique water challenges, the Western U.S. has been a leader in water policies—whether it be reuse or conservation… Continue reading All Water is Local: Western U.S. Cities Proactively Approaching Climate Mitigation While Tackling Drought

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Supreme Court Ruling Sets Roadblock for Water Sector, Regulations

The writing is now on the wall. The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling (6-3 in West Virginia v. EPA on 30 June 2022) undercuts the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority in its ability to address the myriad of water challenges before us, including water quality, drought, and pollution. For decades, the executive-led agency has filled a leadership… Continue reading Supreme Court Ruling Sets Roadblock for Water Sector, Regulations

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Where Are the Emerging Market Opportunities for Digital Water?

When we talk about the digital transformation of the water industry, the focus often turns to advanced economies in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. And not without reason—countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia account for the lion’s share of companies, project implementations, M&A deals, and venture investments that Bluefield has… Continue reading Where Are the Emerging Market Opportunities for Digital Water?

Two Key Global Sectors—Energy and Transportation—are ‘Going Green’ but not without Water

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

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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 

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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