Winter 2013: Turning on the Tap
Beyond the Tap
January 3, 2013 by Jerd Smith
A labyrinth of water infrastructure lies beneath our city streets. And it’s getting old. Just what does it do for us, and how much attention—and funding—will its maintenance and replacement require?
The Art and Science of Pricing Water
Some utilities get tax dollars, others don’t. Some charge higher tap fees for new development, while others have higher rates. Ultimately, every utility must bill customers for their water use in order to cover costs, but each does so differently. A look at the not-so-simple process of setting rates, and why we aren’t all paying the same.
Water Quality’s Front Line
Water moves into and out of our homes daily, coming in clean and going out dirty. On either end, someone is treating that water to keep it varying degrees of clean. Regulations stipulate the contaminants that must be filtered out, whether the water is destined for our bodies, our lawns or our rivers. It’s a protective barrier that wasn’t always in place.
The Rising Cost of Bringing Water to a Faucet Near You
Water rates have gone up dramatically over the past 20 years, and customers want to know why. Utilities aren’t out to turn a profit; they’re just trying to keep up with their own rising costs—for everything but the kitchen sink.
Going to the Source
When it comes to source water protection, prevention is best.
Waste Not, Want Not
How utilities maximize efficient water use.
Where does your snow come from?
An Arizona ski resort becomes the first to make snow with treated wastewater.