THE GREAT LAKES PRESERVE BLOG

Moonshot team members working on an asset inventory during a site visit This month’s blog is all about “The Hidden Costs of Deferred Maintenance” in the context of smaller utilities. Though paying for maintenance projects before they are needed can feel daunting or even unnecessary, getting maintenance projects taken care of now can ultimately save utilities lots of money in the future. We sat down with two of our key Moonshot team members to talk through the benefits of a pr

Please check your email for our March 2026 newsletter, or view the newsletter at this public link or below! Links in this month's newsletter:  March blog: https://www.moonshotmissions.org/greatlakespreserve/post/exploring-the-benefits-of-state-revolving-funds Advancing Understanding of Data Centers: https://learn.wef.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=292 SRF Infrastructure Financing: https://www.rcap.org/srf-conference/ Federally Funded Projects: https://www.wwdma

This month’s theme is State Revolving Funds, an excellent option for small and mid-size utilities when it comes to infrastructure upgrades. Many utilities lack the resources and the capacity to apply for or prepare the materials needed for this opportunity. However, Moonshot Missions (Moonshot) has worked with utilities in various states to bridge this access issue and make long-term infrastructure upgrades possible. Rania Bashar, Senior Program Manager with Moonshot, shares

Please check your email for our February 2026 Newsletter, check out this public link , or read more below! Links in this month's newsletter:  Theme blog: https://www.moonshotmissions.org/greatlakespreserve/post/considering-sustainable-infrastructure-with-anthony-kane-isi ISI webinar portal: https://sustainableinfrastructure.org/upcoming-webinars/ Federal Policy Wrap Up Info: https://www.wef.org/events--education/webcasts/upcoming-webcasts/2025-federal-policy-wrap-up-webcast/

The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) works with tangible frameworks and step by step verification processes to help utilities ask the right questions to meet their sustainability, operational and community goals. The Institute is a product of collaboration between the American Public Works Association (APWA), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). We had the opportunity to meet with Anthony Kane

A public link can be found here , but check your email for our January 2026 newsletter on "Inflow and Infiltration Reduction." Links in this month's newsletter:  Great Lakes PRESRVE Press Release: https://www.moonshotmissions.org/post/new-peer-led-initiative-of-great-lakes-utilities-to-strengthen-water-quality-and-financial-resilienc I&I Webinar Part 1: https://tapin.waternow.org/resources/understanding-inflow-infiltration-causes-impacts-and-solutions-pt-1-webinar/ I&I Webina

Check out the MMSD website for more information on public outreach for these I&I programs Inflow and infiltration (I&I) can be a major concern for wastewater utilities and their collection systems. I&I is the main reason why basement backups and sewer overflows occur. Addressing I&I is particularly critical in regions like the Great Lakes, where utilities are already experiencing more frequent and intense wet-weather events.  This shifts the focus from cost savings to risk m

A public link can be found here , but check your email for our December 2025 newsletter on "Looking forward, Looking back." Links in this month's issue:  December blog: https://www.moonshotmissions.org/greatlakespreserve/post/looking-forward-looking-back-with-the-moonshot-missions-facilitation-team Communicating the True Cost of Water: https://store.awwa.org/product/44361 Michigan EGLE PFAS Summit: https://egle.idloom.events/2025-PFAS-Summit What Operators Need to Know:...

2025 has been a big year for the Great Lakes PRESERVE! We finally got the community of practice up and running, hosted our first in-person meetings, and have worked to create an online community as well as relevant and timely events and resources for our incredible members.  We wanted to start our blog with a recap/reminder of where we started, in terms of advice and goals from each of our Moonshot team members.  George Hawkins, CEO and Sponsor of Great Lakes PRESERVE, had th

A public link can be found here , but check your email for our November 2025 newsletter on "Leveraging AI." Theme article: https://www.moonshotmissions.org/greatlakespreserve/post/leveraging-ai-with-amanda-willis-and-gigi-karmous-edwards Leveraging AI event notes: https://www.moonshotmissions.org/greatlakespreserve/group/preserve-all-members/discussion/42bb007b-5f69-4bc9-a6ae-715253ab7ba1 Lake Erie Grant: https://lakeerie.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/24c7ec02-7e99-4dc3-8d7b-6

Our theme article features the wisdom provided by our two speakers during our October 15 event, “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence: Smart Solutions for Institutional Knowledge Retention in Water Utilities.” Gigi Karmous-Edwards, President, Karmous Edwards Consulting and Amanda Willis, Senior Water and Wastewater Specialist, The Water Tower, explored effective use of artificial intelligence (AI). Our blog post covers their overview of AI, exciting use cases and reports, and i

A public link can be found here , but check your email for our October 2025 newsletter on "Building a Community of Practice." Links in...

This month’s theme article comes to us from Michael Mucha, PRESERVE chair and Principal at Moonshot Missions. Michael has worked as an...

A public link can be found here , but check your email for our September 2025 newsletter on "Retaining Institutional Knowledge." Links in...

We continued our conversations this month with Andy Kricun, Principal at Moonshot Missions and former Executive Director and Chief...

A public link can be found here , but check your email for our August 2025 newsletter on "Building Public Trust." Links Listed: 8/22...

Our August newsletter theme is “Gaining Public Trust,” explored in an article below by Andy Kricun, Principal at Moonshot Missions and...