Innovative financing and pricing flexibility are key to preparing the nation?s aging freshwater systems to handle growing demand and environmental challenges, according to a Charting New Waters report released on Jan. 26 by The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread, American Rivers and Ceres.

Spalding DeDecker Associates, Inc. (SDA), a regional civil engineering, landscape architectural and surveying firm, is opening an office in Livonia, Mich.

STAR ZoneScan, a unique, automated system from Aclara that can pinpoint underground leaks on water mains to within a few feet, is now commercially available for widespread distribution.

Black & Veatch has appointed John Chevrette as president of its Management Consulting Division. He will lead the company?s efforts to address key challenges affecting today?s water, electric and gas utilities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Dec. 8 released a draft analysis of data from its Pavillion, Wyo., groundwater investigation.

Nonresidential fixed investment increased 1.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 following a revised 15.7 percent increase in the previous quarter according to the Jan. 27 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report by the Department of Commerce.

Xylem Inc., a leading global water technology company focused on addressing the world?s most challenging water issues, has broken ground on a 10,000-square foot extension of its manufacturing facility in Bridgeport, N.J., to support continuing growth in the dewatering segment.

Pure Technologies Ltd. announced recently that the Board of County Commissioners of Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) has approved a contract worth approximately $5.8 million for Pure’s wholly owned subsidiary, Pure Technologies US Inc., to provide pipeline inspections and monitoring for WASD.