ABSTRACT
Water is crucial for all aspects of life, the defining feature of our planet. Water and wastewater operations are hidden functions. More than 50% of Americans drink bottled water occasionally or as their major source of drinking water—an astounding fact given the high quality and low cost of US tapwater. Water and wastewater treatment facilities are usually owned, operated, and managed by the community where they are located. Water/wastewater treatment operations have accomplished this goal by prevention of disease and nuisance conditions; avoidance of contamination of water supplies and navigable waters; maintenance of clean water for survival of fish and for bathing and recreation; and generally conservation of water quality for future use. Practices that encourage water and wastewater sector utilities and their customers to address existing needs so that future generations will not be left to address the approaching wave of needs resulting from aging water and wastewater infrastructure must continuously be promoted by sector professionals.
