Water is the most common substance found on earth.
Water is the only substance found naturally in three forms: solid, liquid, and gas.
Eighty percent of the earth’s surface is water.
Ninety-seven percent of the earth’s water is saltwater in oceans and seas. Of the 3% that is freshwater, only 1% is available for drinking – the remaining 2% is frozen in the polar ice …

Judges at Kentucky Rural Water Association’s Management Conference, held February 23-24, at the Sloan Convention Center and Holiday Inn University Plaza Hotel in Bowling Green, Kentucky, have found the state’s best tasting water in Hardin County. On February 24, 2010, Hardin County Water District #2 was named the winner of a statewide competition to identify the tastiest water in Kentucky.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) required all State Revolving Fund projects receiving ARRA funding to be under construction contract and have an executed assistance agreement by February 17, 2010. As of close of business on Friday, February 12, 2010, this goal was accomplished. KIA and DOW reviewed 43 Clean Water projects and 17 Drinking Water projects for compliance with the SRF and ARRA program guidelines.
KIA would like to thank the KIA Board Members for their determination and diligence throughout this demanding time in KIA’s history. …

FRANKFORT, Ky.—Gov. Steve Beshear today awarded two Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loans to the city of Princeton in conjunction with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The two loans, totaling $ 2,753,000, allow for a comprehensive inspection and repair of the city’s sewer system, including a detailed sewer system assessment followed by a major sewer rehabilitation project in two collection system basins. Due to the extensive deterioration of the lines found during the initial inspection, significant rehabilitation of existing lines is required. “Sewer, water system and infrastructure concerns are some of the most crucial to ensuring that towns across the Commonwealth continue to …

One of the most difficult hurdles in recruiting new and young professionals to the water industry is education. Considering the nearly 1 million miles of pipe that are buried underground, the water industry is, for the most part, an “out of sight, out of mind” industry. Taken for granted by many, only a small percentage of the population is aware of water’s complexity or the massive amounts of infrastructure and the number of skilled professionals needed to ensure the continuous and proper delivery of tap water.

Following the September 2008 wind storm and the January 2009 ice storm, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) directed its staff to conduct a comprehensive review of utility responses to the two events, including a number of associated issues. Last November, PSC sent out an information request regarding emergency preparedness, requesting that utilities explain what steps have been taken to implement the applicable recommendations. The deadline for utilities to respond is March 1st. Systems needing help responding to the report, contact KRWA for assistance.

Most Americans don’t think much about where their water comes from. So, it’s understandable that when water utilities need to undertake projects, they often have trouble convincing their customers to pay for them.

If this sounds familiar, you may wish that your community were better informed or more engaged. Here are 10 questions you can ask yourself about your utility to prepare for building a better relationship with your community.

When you hear the term ’smart grid,’ most people think of electricity. But Oracle is thinking that intelligent metering and provisioning systems could apply just as well to other utilities, like water.

Oracle survey indicates the adoption of smart water meter technologies is key to conservation.

In light of periodic energy shortages and costs spikes, HP, Google, IBM and a host of other companies have pushed for the broad adoption of smart grid technology to measure usage, spot trends and help control energy costs. Now water may be the next major resource to get the smart grid treatment.

Congress and various federal agencies are enacting a dozen new rules and procedures that will affect how you do business in 2010.

* Extension of the COBRA subsidy. Employees who are involuntarily separated will continue to have rights to a COBRA subsidy — and you’ll continue to have to do the paperwork and notifications. Expect it: now.

* New regs requiring your company disclose all retirement plan fees and and expenses to participants. These regs are in the “final rule” stage, meaning it’s almost a done deal. Expect it: September 2010.

The 2010 General Assembly is discussing a proposal for a dramatic change in Kentucky’s tax structure. The primary goal of the proposal is the expansion of the state sales tax to a majority of services. Please download the document that shows the impact on service areas and the net increase in new state tax revenues.