The Value Of Water
Introduction
This Vision document has been drawn up by Water Europe, with the input of its members and key stakeholders. It was developed in the first half of 2016 to establish the course of action for tackling the key societal challenges related to water, which is one of the key resources underpinning our lives and economies. The document outlines what the water-smart society of the future may look like, based on emerging technology and societal trends which are expected to lead to a paradigm shift in terms of how we deal with the finite resources on our planet. By 2030, the transition to this water-smart society should be in full swing. The document also outlines the higher-level innovations that will be required to realise this vision, and as such lays the foundation for a renewed Strategic Innovation and Research Agenda (SIRA), inspiring policy makers, researchers, technology developers, water service providers and water management authorities to join forces in building a sustainable, robust, resilient and dynamic water-smart society for Europe while strengthening Europe’s contribution to global societal challenges and the global water market .
The Value Of Water
Introduction
This Vision document has been drawn up by Water Europe, with the input of its members and key stakeholders. It was developed in the first half of 2016 to establish the course of action for tackling the key societal challenges related to water, which is one of the key resources underpinning our lives and economies. The document outlines what the water-smart society of the future may look like, based on emerging technology and societal trends which are expected to lead to a paradigm shift in terms of how we deal with the finite resources on our planet. By 2030, the transition to this water-smart society should be in full swing. The document also outlines the higher-level innovations that will be required to realise this vision, and as such lays the foundation for a renewed Strategic Innovation and Research Agenda (SIRA), inspiring policy makers, researchers, technology developers, water service providers and water management authorities to join forces in building a sustainable, robust, resilient and dynamic water-smart society for Europe while strengthening Europe’s contribution to global societal challenges and the global water market .
Mapping The Route To Water Utility Decarbonization
Summary : The race to net-zero emissions is on. Since the Paris Agreement of 2016, more than 70 countries, accounting for 76 percent of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, have pledged to meet ambitious net-zero goals.1 Most have committed to a 45 percent cut in GHG emissions by 2030, and net zero by
2050.That’s a challenge for water utilities. Water and wastewater infrastructure is a major GHG contributor – making up approximately 2% of global GHG emissions, on par with the global shipping industry. Utilities are not just required to deliver on financial metrics. They must also meet their communities’
need for safe, affordable water and sanitation, and comply with regulatory requirements. Those imperatives don’t pause for emissions reduction. And they don’t have to. Utilities can reduce emissions quickly and affordably. With the right approaches and proven technologies, net zero is possible.
Mapping The Route To Water Utility Decarbonization
Summary : The race to net-zero emissions is on. Since the Paris Agreement of 2016, more than 70 countries, accounting for 76 percent of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, have pledged to meet ambitious net-zero goals.1 Most have committed to a 45 percent cut in GHG emissions by 2030, and net zero by
2050.That’s a challenge for water utilities. Water and wastewater infrastructure is a major GHG contributor – making up approximately 2% of global GHG emissions, on par with the global shipping industry. Utilities are not just required to deliver on financial metrics. They must also meet their communities’
need for safe, affordable water and sanitation, and comply with regulatory requirements. Those imperatives don’t pause for emissions reduction. And they don’t have to. Utilities can reduce emissions quickly and affordably. With the right approaches and proven technologies, net zero is possible.
Methods Of Soil, Plant, And Water Analysis: A Manual For The West Asia And North Africa Region
Introduction
The idea that one could test or analyze a soil and obtain some information about properties especially its acidity or alkalinity and its nutrient status is long established, and can be traced back to the beginning of scientific inquiry about the nature of soil. Analyses of plants to reflect the fertility status of the soil in which they grew is more recent, although visual crop observations are as old as the ancient Greeks, if not older. In the last few decades, spurred on by commercialization of agriculture and the demands for increased output from limited and even diminishing land resources, both soil and plant analysis procedures have been developed, and are still evolving. With the advent of chemical fertilizers, the need to know nutrient status of a soil in order to use such expensive and limited inputs more effectively became all the more crucial. However, if soil testing is to be an effective means of evaluating fertility status of soils, correct methodology is absolutely essential.
Methods Of Soil, Plant, And Water Analysis: A Manual For The West Asia And North Africa Region
Introduction
The idea that one could test or analyze a soil and obtain some information about properties especially its acidity or alkalinity and its nutrient status is long established, and can be traced back to the beginning of scientific inquiry about the nature of soil. Analyses of plants to reflect the fertility status of the soil in which they grew is more recent, although visual crop observations are as old as the ancient Greeks, if not older. In the last few decades, spurred on by commercialization of agriculture and the demands for increased output from limited and even diminishing land resources, both soil and plant analysis procedures have been developed, and are still evolving. With the advent of chemical fertilizers, the need to know nutrient status of a soil in order to use such expensive and limited inputs more effectively became all the more crucial. However, if soil testing is to be an effective means of evaluating fertility status of soils, correct methodology is absolutely essential.
Strategic Directions: Water Report
About This Report
Based on a survey of roughly 300 stakeholders in the North American sphere of water and wastewater, the Black & Veatch 2020 Strategic Directions: Water Report examines the issues and trends impacting today’s water industry at a time when matters couldn’t be more complex. The water sector continues to be plagued by multiple challenges underlined by aging infrastructure in combination with an aging workforce that puts our systems at even greater risk due to the loss of critical expertise. Increasing natural disasters impacting water systems, including wildfires, floods and drought, highlight the rising impacts of climate change on the resilience of our water systems and the need for significant investment. A global pandemic and the resulting financial havoc has multiplied the pressure on utilities to be resilient in their services and make the sorely needed investment in supply, treatment, conveyance and storage facilities. COVID-19’s spread forced federal, state and
local governments to halt businesses and industries, leaving tens of millions of Americans jobless and unable to pay utility bills in a
time when clean water and sanitation is foundational to stopping the spread of the virus. While the added complication of COVID-19 has further strained the bottom lines of many water utilities, this moment of crisis provides the opportunity to accelerate innovation in strategy,
operations and funding. Utilities will need to unleash the value of data in their operations by using analytics and other technologies to drive better decision-making, optimize and prioritize system investments, and drive cost efficiencies that propel sustainable and resilient systems.
This year’s report dives into these issues and many more, providing in-depth analysis by leading industry experts.
Strategic Directions: Water Report
About This Report
Based on a survey of roughly 300 stakeholders in the North American sphere of water and wastewater, the Black & Veatch 2020 Strategic Directions: Water Report examines the issues and trends impacting today’s water industry at a time when matters couldn’t be more complex. The water sector continues to be plagued by multiple challenges underlined by aging infrastructure in combination with an aging workforce that puts our systems at even greater risk due to the loss of critical expertise. Increasing natural disasters impacting water systems, including wildfires, floods and drought, highlight the rising impacts of climate change on the resilience of our water systems and the need for significant investment. A global pandemic and the resulting financial havoc has multiplied the pressure on utilities to be resilient in their services and make the sorely needed investment in supply, treatment, conveyance and storage facilities. COVID-19’s spread forced federal, state and
local governments to halt businesses and industries, leaving tens of millions of Americans jobless and unable to pay utility bills in a
time when clean water and sanitation is foundational to stopping the spread of the virus. While the added complication of COVID-19 has further strained the bottom lines of many water utilities, this moment of crisis provides the opportunity to accelerate innovation in strategy,
operations and funding. Utilities will need to unleash the value of data in their operations by using analytics and other technologies to drive better decision-making, optimize and prioritize system investments, and drive cost efficiencies that propel sustainable and resilient systems.
This year’s report dives into these issues and many more, providing in-depth analysis by leading industry experts.
Dams Sector Security Awareness Guide
Introduction
Like all critical infrastructure, the technological and national security environment in which the U.S. dam infrastructure is operated and maintained continues to evolve over time. New threats to the continued reliability and integrity of all infrastructures require vigilance. Areas of possible focus by owners and operators include: surveillance detection, identification of site-related vulnerabilities (e.g., access control, operational security, and cyber security measures), emergency response/prevention issues, and functionality issues governed by interdependencies with other infrastructure assets. The Dams Sector comprises the assets, systems, networks, and functions related to dam projects, navigation locks, levees, hurricane barriers, mine tailings impoundments, or other similar water retention and/or control facilities. Dam projects are complex facilities that typically include water impoundment or control structures, reservoirs, spillways, outlet works, powerhouses, and canals or aqueducts. In some cases, navigation locks are also part of the dam project.
To address security issues related to dams, a partnership approach has been adopted involving Federal, State, regional, Territorial, local, or tribal government entities; private sector owners and operators and representative organizations; academic and professional entities; and certain not-for-profit and private volunteer organizations that share in the responsibility for protecting the Nation’s critical sector assets.
Dams Sector Security Awareness Guide
Introduction
Like all critical infrastructure, the technological and national security environment in which the U.S. dam infrastructure is operated and maintained continues to evolve over time. New threats to the continued reliability and integrity of all infrastructures require vigilance. Areas of possible focus by owners and operators include: surveillance detection, identification of site-related vulnerabilities (e.g., access control, operational security, and cyber security measures), emergency response/prevention issues, and functionality issues governed by interdependencies with other infrastructure assets. The Dams Sector comprises the assets, systems, networks, and functions related to dam projects, navigation locks, levees, hurricane barriers, mine tailings impoundments, or other similar water retention and/or control facilities. Dam projects are complex facilities that typically include water impoundment or control structures, reservoirs, spillways, outlet works, powerhouses, and canals or aqueducts. In some cases, navigation locks are also part of the dam project.
To address security issues related to dams, a partnership approach has been adopted involving Federal, State, regional, Territorial, local, or tribal government entities; private sector owners and operators and representative organizations; academic and professional entities; and certain not-for-profit and private volunteer organizations that share in the responsibility for protecting the Nation’s critical sector assets.
Construction Cost Estimate Practical Work Guide
Introduction
The cost level is a very important factor in most construction decisions, and its estimates are prepared during the planning, design and construction phases of a construction project. Various types of cost estimates are made in a construction project, from preliminary estimates to detailed estimates. All these estimates are important because they invariably influence the expenditure of major expenses. Estimates made in the early stages of a project are of particular importance, as they influence the most basic decisions related to the
construction project. Cost estimation can be defined in various ways. For example, estimation is the assembly of all the costs of the elements of a project, which for an entrepreneur represents the cost that will most likely be incurred for the completion of the project. In another definition, it is a statement-making about the approximate amount of materials, time, and costs to take construction decisions. Cost estimation is also defined as the process of analyzing a specific work and predicting the cost of performing it. The main challenges facing the construction contractor are estimating the cost of building a project, scheduling specific construction activities, and then building the project within the estimated cost and schedule. The purpose of cost estimation is to obtain an accurate and costeffective
prediction of the costs of a project, being analyzed different possibilities for its realization, in different stages. Cost estimation is a complex
process that involves collecting available and relevant information about the project, the likely consumption of resources, and future changes in their costs.
Construction Cost Estimate Practical Work Guide
Introduction
The cost level is a very important factor in most construction decisions, and its estimates are prepared during the planning, design and construction phases of a construction project. Various types of cost estimates are made in a construction project, from preliminary estimates to detailed estimates. All these estimates are important because they invariably influence the expenditure of major expenses. Estimates made in the early stages of a project are of particular importance, as they influence the most basic decisions related to the
construction project. Cost estimation can be defined in various ways. For example, estimation is the assembly of all the costs of the elements of a project, which for an entrepreneur represents the cost that will most likely be incurred for the completion of the project. In another definition, it is a statement-making about the approximate amount of materials, time, and costs to take construction decisions. Cost estimation is also defined as the process of analyzing a specific work and predicting the cost of performing it. The main challenges facing the construction contractor are estimating the cost of building a project, scheduling specific construction activities, and then building the project within the estimated cost and schedule. The purpose of cost estimation is to obtain an accurate and costeffective
prediction of the costs of a project, being analyzed different possibilities for its realization, in different stages. Cost estimation is a complex
process that involves collecting available and relevant information about the project, the likely consumption of resources, and future changes in their costs.