Winter 2013: Turning on the Tap

The Utilities Issue

We rely on utilities to provide reliable water and protect human health, but how often do we think about them? Learn about the water infrastructure that’s demanding our attention, why we pay more for water today, water treatment and how to conserve more water in your home. Explore these topics by reading feature articles below, flipping through, or downloading the online version of Headwaters.

Beyond the Tap

January 3, 2013 by Jerd Smith 

A labyrinth of water infrastructure lies beneath our city streets. And it’s getting old. Just what does it do for us, and how much attention—and funding—will its maintenance and replacement require?

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The Art and Science of Pricing Water
January 3, 2013 by Chris Woodkae
Some utilities get tax dollars, others don’t. Some charge higher tap fees for new development, while others have higher rates. Ultimately, every utility must bill customers for their water use in order to cover costs, but each does so differently. A look at the not-so-simple process of setting rates, and why we aren’t all paying the same.
Water Quality’s Front Line
by Dan Gordon
Water moves into and out of our homes daily, coming in clean and going out dirty. On either end, someone is treating that water to keep it varying degrees of clean. Regulations stipulate the contaminants that must be filtered out, whether the water is destined for our bodies, our lawns or our rivers. It’s a protective barrier that wasn’t always in place.
The Rising Cost of Bringing Water to a Faucet Near You
by Caitlin Coleman
Water rates have gone up dramatically over the past 20 years, and customers want to know why. Utilities aren’t out to turn a profit; they’re just trying to keep up with their own rising costs—for everything but the kitchen sink.
Going to the Source
February 3, 2013 by Caitlin Coleman
When it comes to source water protection, prevention is best.
Waste Not, Want Not
January 3, 2013 by Caitlin Coleman
How utilities maximize efficient water use.
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