- Municipal Freshwater Scarcity: Survey of Technology Adoption by Municipal Water Utilities (GAO-16-588SP, April 29, 2016), an E-supplement to GAO-16-474, GAO-16-588SP: Published: Apr 29, 2016. Publicly Released: Apr 29, 2016: “This e-supplement presents the results of GAO s web-based survey of 1,303 U.S. municipal water utilities. The survey asked questions about: (1) the technologies utilities use to improve water distribution efficiency; (2) the technologies they use to treat nontraditional water sources; (3) the challenges they face in using such technologies; and (4) the basic characteristics of their infrastructure, operations, and service area.”
- Technology Assessment: Municipal freshwater scarcity: Using technology to improve distribution system efficiency and tap nontraditional water sources, GAO-16-474: Published: Apr 29, 2016. Publicly Released: Apr 29, 2016: “Water scarcity occurs when the demand for water in a given area approaches or exceeds available water supplies. A water utility facing scarcity may attempt to address it by reducing its demand on existing water supplies, increasing its water supplies, or both. Many mature technologies are available to address both of these areas…”
- U.S. Postal Service: Post Office Changes Suggest Cost Savings, but Improved Guidance, Data, and Analysis Can Inform Future Savings Efforts, GAO-16-385: Published: Apr 29, 2016. Publicly Released: Apr 29, 2016: USPS continues to experience a financial crisis and has undertaken many initiatives to reduce costs. In May 2012, USPS announced POStPlan, which aimed to reduce retail hours at post offices and use less costly labor. However, an arbitrator ruled in September 2014 that USPS must reverse several of these staffing changes.”
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Daily Archives: April 29, 2016
New Scientist – Google AI has access to huge haul of NHS patient data
Via New Scientist, Hal Hodson: ” It’s no secret that Google has broad ambitions in healthcare. But a document obtained by New Scientist reveals that the tech giant’s collaboration with the UK’s National Health Service goes far beyond what has been publicly announced. The document – a data-sharing agreement between Google-owned artificial intelligence company DeepMind… Continue Reading
Supreme Court expands surveillance powers of intelligence agency
Via The Intercept: “The Supreme Court on approved [April 28, 2016] changes that would make it easier for the FBI to hack into computers, including those belonging to victims of cybercrime. The changes will take effect in December, unless Congress adopts competing legislation. Previously, under the federal rules on criminal procedures, a magistrate judge couldn’t… Continue Reading
Study – Finding forced trends in oceanic oxygen
Global Biogeochemical Cycles, Finding forced trends in oceanic oxygen (abstract). First published: February 2016. “Anthropogenically forced trends in oceanic dissolved oxygen are evaluated in Earth system models in the context of natural variability. A large ensemble of a single Earth system model is used to clearly identify the forced component of change in interior oxygen… Continue Reading
Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: April 2016
“The April Kaiser Health Tracking Poll continues Kaiser Family Foundation tracking of perceptions of the safety of drinking water. KEY FINDINGS: The majority of individuals living in the Midwest rate the job being done by their state to ensure the safety of the public drinking water as fair or poor. Women are less confident in… Continue Reading
