Water/Wastewater Archives

September 22, 2020

in Blog, Imaging, Infrastructure, Surveying, Utilities Engineering, Water/Wastewater

Going Underground to Upgrade Aging Infrastructure

A historic seaport, Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia is bursting with history. You can experience the history before your eyes as you walk past towering 200-year-old-trees, cobblestone driveways and streets, and historic buildings dating back to the 19th century. History is also lurking beneath your feet. As with many historic places, the City of Portsmouth faced the daunting challenge of evaluating and updating its aging infrastructure, particularly in the city’s oldest areas. ...

May 19, 2020

in Blog, Environmental Services, Water/Wastewater

by Draper Aden Associates

Bioremediation Offers Innovative Solutions for Pharmaceutical Contamination

Modern medicine and pharmaceutical advances have been indispensable to improving quality of life for hundreds of millions in the United States. However, in recent years, pharmaceutical compounds have become a significant group of environmental pollutants. These compounds could pose risks to human health and have adverse environmental effects....

October 10, 2017

in Blog, DAA News, Water/Wastewater

by Draper Aden Associates

SSES+ Offers a Better Way to Find and Fix Sewer Needs

Sewer systems are hidden beneath our feet and make up a tangled web of pipes that run under every city, town, and county. Just like most infrastructure that is out of sight, sewers are often out of mind for many. However, when these systems are disturbed, damaged, deteriorate, or fail, it can negatively impact the environment, create serious safety hazards, and severely disrupt daily life. It’s no surprise then that ensuring sewer systems run properly is a critical priority for all municipalities. Now, hidden issues can no longer lurk in the shadows underground thanks to Draper Aden SSES+. Draper Aden Associates understands the complex needs and challenges facing sewer systems. From preventive maintenance and having a holistic understanding of a system to evaluating that system and crafting rehabilitation strategies, it's all about being proactive. Fortunately, new technologies and tools make this job more feasible and cost effective than ever before. As a leader...

March 1, 2017

in Blog, Legislation, Water/Wastewater

by Draper Aden Associates

2017 VA Water and Wastewater Legislation

Keep up with all of 2017's Legislation Concerning Water and Wastewater Issues from the Virginia General Assembly. The following is a representative list of the major pieces of legislation dealing with environmental concerns that were considered in the Virginia General Assembly during the regular 2017 session. This publication reflects the status of these bills as of the end of the regular session. Read the Water and Wastewater Legislation here. *This post was updated on March 1, 2017 ...

October 27, 2016

in Blog, Environmental Services, Water/Wastewater

by Draper Aden Associates

Identifying Sustainable Groundwater Supplies

“Access to a stable and clean water supply is one of the foundations of our society:…thus begins an article by Ken Bannister, an Environmental Team Leaders who talks about water sources in an article for American City and County’s blog. Ken looks at groundwater supplies as a preferred source of water for municipalities. To find out why check out the article at: http://americancityandcounty.com/blog/identifying-sustainable-groundwater-supplies-more-important-ever. Read more about DAA's Environmental Services here!...

January 25, 2016

in Blog, Legislation, Water/Wastewater

by Draper Aden Associates

2016 Water and Wastewater Legislation

Keep up with all of 2016's Legislation Concerning Water and Wastewater Issues from the Virginia General Assembly. The following is a representative list of the major pieces of legislation dealing with environmental concerns that were considered in the Virginia General Assembly during the regular 2016 session. This publication reflects the status of these bills as of the end of the regular session. Read the Water and Wastewater Legislation here. ...

September 1, 2015

in Blog, Water/Wastewater

by Draper Aden Associates

27th Annual Virginia Water and Wastewater Rate Study

The 27th Annual Virginia Water and Wastewater Rate Study is now live! This year's study focused on items concerning wastewater treatment, including septage and high-strength waste. 43% of respondents indicated that truck-hauled waste was accepted at their facility, including septic tank, grease trap, and portable toilet waste. Out of the 115 respondents, 109 answered questions pertaining to high-strength waste, with 76% indicating that additional charges are levied for high-strength waste like biochemical oxygen deman, phosphorous, nitrogen, and chemical oxygen demand. Concerning data from the control group of twenty water and wastewater providers who have participated for the past twenty years in our rate study, since 2014, this year saw a 2.2% (to $30.77) increase in the average water rate, a 2.6% (to $40.37) increase in the average wastewater rate, and an overall 2.4% increase of the average combined rate (to $71.14). Over the past ten years, the combined average water and wastewater...

September 3, 2014

in Blog, Water/Wastewater

by Draper Aden Associates

26th Annual Virginia Water and Wastewater Rate Survey Released

On September 1, 2014, the 26th Annual Virginia Water and Wastewater Rate Survey was released on Draper Aden Associates’ website and in print format. Since 1989, Draper Aden Associates has compiled and analyzed water and wastewater use and rates data from localities across the state of Virginia, with this 2014 edition being the most comprehensive to-date. According to this year’s control group data, both the average residential water and residential wastewater rate increased 6.3% from 2013. Additionally, over the past ten years, this control group’s average water rate has risen 65% and the average wastewater rate has increased by 88%. This data, along with that of connection fees, capital recovery charges, and residential fixed charges helps water and wastewater providers in Virginia analyze and compare state-wide rates in order to set their own for the coming years. Water and wastewater providers face a variety of economic challenges in recovering existing and...