Meanwhile, water and wastewater operators at over 50,000 public water systems across the United States are already burdened by the complex, technical and constantly changing job of making sure their cities and towns are supplied with clean water. A hydroelectric power station on the Black River in Cavendish is near where treated water from the water treatment facility is discharged. “Because these systems are so critical to towns, these communities will do almost anything to get their water systems back up and running,” Lee explained. (SOUNDBITE OF RUSHING WATER) MCLAUGHLIN: Meanwhile, Chris Hughes is trying to figure out why there’s water gushing where it shouldn’t. HUGHES: System’s shut off, and the water’s pouring out of the clear well outside.