Susan Gilbert has been named West Region director for HDR?s Water business group. She will be based in Denver.

Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. announces the acquisition of Fru-Con, a leading water and wastewater infrastructure contractor based in Virginia.

During its annual membership meeting in early May, the Plastics Pipe Institute Inc. (PPI) announced winners who were awarded for significant achievements and exceptional service involving the use of polyethylene (PE) pipe.

Like many other cities in North America, Winnipeg, Manitoba, found itself in need of updating its wastewater infrastructure to keep pace with growth and age, as well as meet regulatory requirements. In all, the city was looking at a $751 million price tag on a capital improvement program for sewage treatment construction costs.

With population growth and climate changes threatening the U.S. water supply, desalination is a viable solution to augment groundwater and surface water supplies for drinking water.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over the past 50 years, the U.S. population has doubled in size and its thirst for water has tripled. Water usage in the next 25 years is expected to climb another 50 percent.

Several years ago, an article was featured that reviewed the U.S. Green Building Council?s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program as a tool to encourage environmentally compatible elements in buildings, including improved energy and water efficiencies.

The National Clay Pipe Institute (NCPI) was recently called upon to aid the Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) of Southern California in an investigation into possible causes of an unknown material building up in some of its gravity sewer lines.

America?s infrastructure investments ? levels of which have long trailed behind those of Asia and Europe ? will be further stifled this year by pressures to cut federal spending and reduce the deficit, compelling cities to be evermore creative and resourceful in securing partnerships to start or continue infrastructure projects, according to Infrastructure 2011: A Strategic Priority.

Leadership was the theme of this year?s American Water Works Association?s Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE) held in Washington, D.C., June 12-16. Thousands of water professionals from around the world gathered at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to take part in educational sessions and view exhibitors products and services.