Water News and Views

CMAP Principles for Infrastructure Investment –

CMAP has issued a set of principles for how funds should be spent on infrastructure in metropolitan regions through the anticipated $700 billion federal economic recovery package. The CMAP statement emphasizes transparency and accountability in the election of projects for improvement of roads, transit, freight rail, water treatment, and other systems.

<http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=13364> (opens 195KB PDF)

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A National Drinking Agenda for Drinking Water –

American Water Works Association (AWWA), Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), National Association of Water Companies and National Rural Water Association (NRWA) prepared a paper proposing a national strategy for drinking water.

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CMAP Wastewater Strategy Planning Report.

CMAP is researching various planning strategies during the development of the GO TO 2040 regional comprehensive plan. Most recently, staff has prepared a draft paper on wastewater planning. Read more <http://goto2040.org/ideazone/forum.aspx?id=776>

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U.S. EPA and U.S. Army Corps Release New Clean Water Act Guidance. The guidance document defines protected waters as those that are determined to be navigable-in-fact by the courts, are currently being used or have historically been used for commercial navigation, or could realistically be used for commercial navigation in the future. Read more. <http://www.americanrivers.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12149&

news_iv_ctrl=1282>

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Green Solutions for Water Treatment Systems. American Rivers called on the National Governors Association and President-elect Obama to make green solutions for the nation's water treatment systems, sewers and levees a top economic stimulus priority that will save money, create jobs, and improve public safety. Read more <http://yubanet.com/enviro/Governors-and-Obama-Should-Make-Water-Infrastructure-a-Top-Economic-Stimulus-Priority.php> .

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Water Preservation and Protection Alliance. A new coalition to protect Boone County water resources was created. The group will bring together representatives of the different county groups that watch over water supplies. Read more <http://www.rrstar.com/news/x776452806/Coalition-formed-to-protect-Boone-County-water-resources> .

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American Planning Association (APA) –

Designing for Water Conservation Protect diminishing water resources at the site and neighborhood levels with proactive planning. Find out how to use local hydrology and knowledge of groundwater resources to protect the environment and private investment. Incorporate appropriate landscaping regulations to control runoff, minimize water usage, and maximize the effectiveness of water that is used. Cosponsor: American Society of Landscape Architects.

Click here for more information:

http://www.planning.org/audioconference/series/waterconservation.htm

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American Water Works Association (AWWA) –

Several conferences are scheduled in 2009 regarding water resources and water conservation.

For more information:

<http://www.awwa.org/conferences/content.cfm?itemnumber=3529&navitemnumber=29842>

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Ground-Water Availability in the United States

By Thomas E. Reilly, Kevin F. Dennehy, William M. Alley, and William L. Cunningham

U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1323, 70 pages (Published July 2008)

This report is available online in PDF format: Circular 1323 () (19.4 MB)