The Chicago area received 1.5 in. more rain for the first half of this year than it did for all of last year, according to the National Weather Service. The heavy rains caused flooding, closing expressways and challenging the Chicago Metropolitan Reclamation District.
Meanwhile, other parts of the country are battling wildfires, and drought remains a major concern for large portions of the South, West and the High Plains.
The extreme variations in weather conditions only add to the challenges municipalities face in managing water supplies, water quality, flood risks, wastewater and aquatic ecosystems.
Water is essential to human health and economic development. This valuable recourse in constantly under a lot of pressure as population growth and industry demand more and more if it. With severe and changing climate conditions, short- and long-term water resource management is more critical than ever.
Water & Wastes Digest would like to know how your agency is facing these challenges. E-mail us at [email protected] to share your strategies.