Damage Prevention & Safety
Hitachi parts warehouse damaged by tornado, 100 employees evacuated
(UI) — A world-class, 336,017-square-foot parts distribution center operated by Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas Inc. was severely damaged on Jan. 12 when a tornado swept through Jackson, Georgia, the company announced on Jan. 25.
Georgia plant spills 100 million gallons of partly treated water
A wastewater plant in middle Georgia’s largest city spilled partially treated water into the Ocmulgee River after a series of equipment failures in December. WMAZ-TV reports that the Macon Water Authority’s treatment plant released more than 100 million gallons (378 million liters) of partially treated water into the river.
Japan eyes delay of Fukushima radioactive wastewater release
Japan has revised the timing of a planned release to the sea of treated but still radioactive wastewater at the Fukushima nuclear power plant to "around spring or summer," indicating a delay from the initial target of this spring, after factoring in the progress of a release tunnel and the need to gain public support.
EPA, TC Energy agree to clean up oil discharge from Keystone pipeline rupture
(UI) — TC Oil Pipeline Operations Inc. has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up the oil discharge that occurred Dec. 7 in Washington County, Kansas, as a result of a rupture in a section of the Keystone Pipeline.
Makeshift explosive discovered near south county sewer pump in St. Louis, Missouri
(UI) — Ten cans of spray paint were found taped around a firecracker within a device found behind a fence enclosing a Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) pump station in December, St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Two workers killed while installing sewer pipes in Texas
(UI) — In Texas, two workmen were killed in December while laying sewer pipes in a ditch more than two floors below ground, The Charlotte Observer reported. The workers were crushed under thousands of pounds of soil and rocks when a large portion of the excavation collapsed.
Deep freeze breaks pipes, creates water crisis across South
Days of freezing temperatures in Deep South areas that usually freeze for only hours are threatening dozens of water systems as burst pipes leak millions of gallons of water.
Water boil order issued for more than 2 million in Houston
More than 2 million people in the Houston area were under a boil order notice Monday after a power outage caused low pressure at a water purification plant, officials said.
Biden asks Congress for $500 million to modernize underground oil reserves
(UC) — In a document submitted to Congress, the Biden administration has requested $500 million from Congress to modernize the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve, Reuters reported. When petroleum is taken out and replaced, the hollowed-out, underground salt caverns where the SPR oil is kept may shift and need repair. The facility's steel pumps and equipment are moreover continuously blasted with corrosive, damp, salty air.
California sues over 'forever chemicals' that taint water
A lawsuit filed Thursday by the state of California accuses 3M, Dupont and 16 smaller companies of covering up the harm caused to the environment and the public from chemicals manufactured by the firms that have over decades found their way into waterways and human bloodstreams.
Burst sewage pipe adds to infrastructure woes at COP27
Attendees of this year's U.N. climate conference in Egypt found themselves stepping over streams of foul-smelling fluid Wednesday after a pipe or tank holding liquid waste appeared to have burst near one of the venue's main thoroughfares.
NTSB opens public docket for investigation into fatal Coolidge, Ariz. pipeline rupture
(UC) — The National Transportation Safety Board opened the public docket Thursday as part of its ongoing investigation of the fatal, Aug. 15, 2021, natural gas transmission pipeline rupture and fire near Coolidge, Arizona.
Natural gas pipeline fire in water SE of New Orleans
Federal agencies investigated a natural gas pipeline explosion that started a towering blaze in a lake southeast of New Orleans on September 8, 2022. Preliminary information indicates a barge broke loose from its mooring and hit the pipeline, according to the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Asset Management: One Street at a Time
Trees have elaborate root systems that invade sanitary sewer pipes and can clog or block sewage flow. Roots are a primary cause of sewer system overflows (SSOs).
Partly treated sewage found running into Blackstone River
Environmental officials are urging residents to avoid a stretch of the Blackstone River after finding that sewage was leaking into the river from a wastewater treatment plant on Sunday.
Federal agency accepting applications for pipeline, natural gas infrastructure improvement grants
The program offers nearly $200 million in grants annually over the next five years to improve the safety of high-risk, leak-prone natural gas distribution infrastructure and create good-paying jobs, with an emphasis on benefiting underserved communities.
Spotlight: Manhole and Pipe Coatings
Spotlight: Manhole and Pipe Coatings
El Paso Water completes sewage clean-up at Rio Grande riverbend
El Paso Water and its partners have successfully completed the riverbed clean-up effort following the Frontera Wastewater Emergency.
Michigan city officials: ‘flushable’ wipes can back up sewer system
Officials in Tecumseh, Michigan, are echoing a warning given by community leaders across the country: wipes labeled “flushable” should not be flushed, as they can cause sewage blockages.
CA Gov. Newsom outlines $2B budget for water conservation
California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing $2 billion to spur clean energy projects across the state and bolster grid reliability, the Turlock Journal reported.
Nebraska law will advance proposed Colorado canal project
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a law Monday that will allow the state to move forward with plans to build a canal in Colorado to divert water out of the South Platte River because of fears about Colorado's increased water use.
Decisions remain for Pilgram's radioactive water
Holtec International is working to remove radioactive water inside a former nuclear power plant in Massachusetts.
Gold Shovel Association joins CGA as the Damage Prevention Institute
The Common Ground Alliance has announced that the Gold Shovel Association will become a part of CGA and will be called the Damage Prevention Institute.
Supreme Court reinstates Trump-era water rule for now
The Supreme Court reinstated a Trump-era rule that restricted the power of states and Native American tribes to block pipelines and other energy projects that could potentially pollute waterways.
Nebraska advances $1M for study of troubled ethanol plant
A new bill in Nebraska could spend up to $1 million to study the long-term health and environmental consequences of a troubled ethanol plant that released polluted wastewater.
Comment period extended for Enbridge line reroute
The Department of Natural Resources extended the comment period involving the environmental impact of rerouting the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline after a lawsuit voices concerns of the possibility of drinking water contamination.
NIPSCO to pay $12M to remove NW Indiana town's tainted soil
A utility must pay to remove soil tainted by coal ash from around homes in an Indiana community where the local aquifer is contaminated by the power plant waste.
Buried fuel tank found near chemical spill on Michigan river
A possibly century-old underground fuel oil tank was found near a southeastern Michigan river near a recent fuel spill.
Some Pennsylvania residents still challenged by polluted water
Residents still face polluted water years after a gas driller was charged with fouling aquifers.
Judge: Lawsuit can proceed against Flint water contractor
A judge on Jan. 10 refused to dismiss a lawsuit against an engineering company, which is accused of not doing enough to stop the flow of lead-contaminated water in Flint in 2015.
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