Public Works: Annual Industry Outlook

Reader survey: 2013 funding forecast

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:22:40 EST

How readers plan to deliver services without getting knocked out by lackluster aid and falling revenues.

The new stormwater rule for MS4s

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 06:01:58 EST

Everything you need to know to develop a compliant program for your next permit.

Effluent vs. runoff: separate and definitely not equal

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 03:15:04 EST

Teach regulators the difference between MS4s and POTWs vis-a-vis nutrient control.

Insufficient infrastructure to lower personal income

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:19:34 EST

$6,000 a year ASCE graphics show economic impact of the trillion-dollar spending gap on average American.

Officials merge employee benefits instead of consolidating services to save money

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:08:37 EST

New Mexico isn't pushing localities to consolidate, but that hasn't stopped the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County from trying despite repeated failure. Since 1973, voters have shut down three attempts, most recently in 2004.

Kansas towns and county save money by sharing services

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:08:41 EST

For more than 25 years, two southwestern Kansas cities and a county have voluntarily divvied up responsibilities and administrative space to stretch resources as far as possible without compromising public safety or services.

Illinois municipalities collaborate on joint contracts for construction and professional services

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:08:45 EST

Illinois is examining potential mergers among the state's 7,000 local governments, but more than a dozen communities have beaten legislators to the punch.

County and municipalities consolidate highway services

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:08:49 EST

The 17 municipalities that comprise New York State's 412-square-mile Chemung County have helped each other out for years. Six of those jurisdictions formalized their relationship with each other and the county in January 2011 by signing the Consolidated Urban Highway Service Area shared services agreement.

The case for cost-sharing solid waste services and landfill monitoring.

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:08:53 EST

Although Maryland isn't pushing consolidation, a chemist and laboratory supervisor for Baltimore County's Bureau of Utilities thinks cities and counties should cost-share - particularly vis-à-vis solid waste.

A slow climb from rock bottom

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:17:04 EST

Resources are tighter than ever and expectations remain high, but you're keeping assets serviceable and services available — one way or another.

Painful priorities

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 02:24:47 EST

Maintaining your operation's position in the organizational hierarchy.

Chemical concerns

Fri, 7 Sep 2012 04:21:03 EST

Industry, regulators finally agree on a plan to ‘harden' operations. If you haven't conducted a risk assessment, start thinking about doing one.

Surviving the funding gap

Fri, 7 Sep 2012 04:19:59 EST

Green is becoming more important than ever, while budgets are continuing to shrink.

Caught in the middle

Fri, 7 Sep 2012 09:48:09 EST

EPA's GHG monitoring rule is estimated to cost landfills $5,000 this year, but managers could make money under the House's proposed cap-and-trade program.

The domino effect

Fri, 7 Sep 2012 03:00:31 EST

You know money's tight when police and fire have to fight for their share of general revenues. Just five years ago, state and local tax revenues experienced the largest single-year increase in 15 years; and National League of Cities members were least likely to cut public safety services to close a budget gap. Parks and recreation (surprise, surprise) was the first to go.

Special Report / Water Challenges

Fri, 7 Sep 2012 01:35:37 EST

Drinking water regulations won't wait for a better economy.

New Hope for Old

Fri, 7 Sep 2012 09:47:58 EST

Congress addresses wastewater and stormwater funding shortfalls.

Making Green Matter

Fri, 7 Sep 2012 11:15:19 EST

Partner with utility and road projects to make successful bids for funding.

Resource Recovery

Fri, 7 Sep 2012 11:15:10 EST

How landfill gas and plain old garbage will be expected to help reduce air pollution.

Unfair Trade

Fri, 7 Sep 2012 11:15:06 EST

The price still isn't right for cable providers working in public rights of way.