Waterworks Blog

Crucial WIFIA bill gets Senate approval

On Thursay, May 15, the long-awaited Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Authority (WIFIA) bill moved a step closer to reality. The U.S. Senate passed, 83-14, the Water Resources Development Act  of 2013 (S. 601), which includes legislation that would create WIFIA. Next stop: the House of Representatives. WIFIA, if you recall, would help water utilities garner…

Don’t bug out, it’s just a cicada swarm

Get ready for a chitinous cacophony over the next several weeks. Billions of Brood II Magicicada cicadas will be emerging from the ground and striking up an amorous, clamorous chorus as the insects attempt to carry on their species. Have no fear; these cicadas are not interested in you or (for the most part) your plants….

LCA aims to help customers through support of infrastructure bill

A few months back, we wrote about the importance of fixing the nation’s crumbling water infrastructure system. In cities such as Pittsburgh, New York and Atlanta, leaking pipes are responsible for the loss of millions of gallons of water each day.  And as LCA’s general manager and chief financial officer, Aurel Arndt, pointed out, the cost…

On April 27, safely dispose of unwanted medications

  It’s that time of year again. No, not tax day — thankfully, that’s behind us. We’re talking about the National Drug Take-Back Initiative. If you have unused, expired, or unwanted medications, April 27 is the time to dispose of them properly. As has been reported before, improper disposal of medications — for instance, flushing them…

Celebrate Earth Day with these regional events

Earth Day is on the way, and there are plenty of events in the Lehigh Valley and beyond to celebrate and promote environmental responsibility. LCA has compiled a list of a few of them for you here. Nature Conservancy: Hold a picnic for Earth Day. Click here to learn how to participate.  Emmaus Community Cleanup and electronics…

What’s on the menu? Weeds!

While you’re weeding your garden this spring, take a closer look at the plants you’re pulling. Chances are, you can put some of those space invaders to work — on your table.  A surprising number of plants we call “weeds” are actually edible, healthful, and even quite tasty. Dandelions, for instance, make an excellent salad green…

Wind turbine helps “create” water from thin air

If you’re a Star Wars fan, you might remember the “moisture vaporators” that Luke Skywalker helped maintain on his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru’s moisture farm on the desert planet Tatooine. Back here on Earth, it seems we’re one step closer to this Star Wars-style technology thanks to French inventor Marc Parent. Parent, founder of…

Chesapeake Bay cleanup shows results, but more watershed work is needed

LCA has written before  about how things that happen upstream have a compounded effect when they end up downstream. Fertilizers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and even mud and silt from development all, eventually, end up in the ocean. In Pennsylvania’s case, this often happens via the Chesapeake Bay. According to a new report, there’s been some progress…

LCA’s leak response team is always ready to go

If there’s one thing that keeps us awake at night, it’s the thought of leaking pipes. Water main leaks can lead to service outages and wasted water; sewer line leaks can lead to contamination. Both scenarios lead to nightmares for LCA and our customers. To address either possibility, we’ve assembled a dedicated leak-response vehicle that…

Raise your home’s efficiency to lower your heating bills

If AccuWeather is right, the Lehigh Valley is in for a colder, snowier winter this year than last. And even though winter didn’t officially begin until Dec. 21, we’re already well into our heating season. To help you lower your energy bills, LCA has put together a list of quick fixes, most of which can be…