Damage Prevention & Safety
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.
Environmental groups file complaint over lead pipes
Environmental groups file a civil rights complaint stating that lead pipe replacement work disproportionately increases the risk of lead exposure for residents of color.
Water Utility Asks Navy to Stop Fighting Hawaii's Order
A Hawaii utility asks the Navy to comply to an order to remove fuel from tanks near a city's water supply.
Hawaii Hearing Over Tainted Navy Water Ends Without A Ruling
A recommendation is expected early next week on whether the Navy has to comply with Hawaii’s order to empty fuel from a storage tank facility blamed for contaminating Pearl Harbor drinking water.
Navy Halts Use of Fuel Storage Complex Above Hawaii Aquifer
The Navy has announced that it is stopping the use of a fuel storage complex above a Hawaii aquifer after complaints of tap water smelling like fuel.
New Damage Prevention Advocacy Award Promotes Underground Safety
Ameren Illinois has developed a Damage Prevention Advocacy Award in recognition of Gina Meehan-Taylor's efforts to protect underground utilities.
Intertribal Agency Faults Wisconsin Review of Line 5 Reroute
An intertribal agency says Wisconsin is at fault for a flawed and incomplete reroute of the Line 5 pipeline.
Conservation Group Sues Army Corps Over Columbia Pollution
A conservation group is suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for polluting the Columbia River.
Industry Study Evaluates Underground Facility Locating Process
A comprehensive study is now available that investigates the facility locating process and offers underground facility operators recommendations to accurately locate and mark their facilities.
Infrastructure Victory Creates New Challenges for Biden
President Biden faces new challenges after his $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill cleared Congress.
California's PUC OKs Boosting Storage at Infamous Gas Field
Regulators in California have voted to increase the capacity of an underground gas storage field in the Los Angeles area that previously leaked methane.
Michigan City with Lead in Water Ordered to Fix Water Plant
A Michigan city urges residents to not drink tap water due to high levels of lead found at the water plant.
California Proposes New Oil Drilling Ban Near Neighborhoods
California officials proposed to ban new oil and gas drilling near neighborhoods.
New CGA Report Documents Pathways to Improving the Efficiency of the U.S. Damage Prevention System
A new report from Common Ground Alliance encourages innovation and new practices to address challenges facing the damage prevention industry.
- Tunnel boring machine ‘Clack-A-Mole’ nears one-third completion in Oregon outfall project
- Explosion in underground PG&E vault leaves one dead in Richmond, Calif.
- Sinkhole in Texas town accrues over $800,000 in sewer rehabilitation costs
- Tennessee pipeline gets initial FERC approval despite environmental concerns
- Water and Sewer Damage Awareness Week highlights infrastructure challenges
- Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
- Elgin, Ill., joins EPA drinking water initiative to accelerate lead pipe replacement
- GasTracker Accurately Locates Plastic Gas Pipes
- Florence, S.C., to fund $537 million sewer, water upgrade with bonds and 5% rate hike
- Union County, Ga., breaks ground on $20.5 million fiber broadband expansion project