Funding
Over $770 million allocated for rural infrastructure projects, including water and internet upgrades
A significant portion of the funding, $644.2 million, is dedicated to bolstering rural utilities, enabling 158 projects to provide clean drinking water and wastewater systems for over 900,000 individuals.
Rural Alabama communities to upgrade wastewater infrastructure with federal funding
In Lowndes County, Alabama, yards regularly flood with sewage from straight pipes or from broken pipes that clog when it rains. However, with the help of EPA’s technical assistance, known as “WaterTA,” the community of White Hall successfully applied for federal funding and received $450,000 to help accelerate their wastewater infrastructure goals.
EPA allocates over half a billion dollars for California water infrastructure upgrades
Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach disadvantaged and underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure. This vital funding will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state.
Funding still flowing despite economic headwinds, challenges
The last two years in America’s municipal infrastructure industry have seen tremendous increases in project activities driven primarily by significant boosts in government funding. If you happened to be a consulting engineer, contractor or manufacturer/supplier, business has been good. Now, 2024 has the potential to be a great year for many in infrastructure.
New York State OKs $57.8 million underground transmission line linking Nanuet to West Nyack
The New York State Public Service Commission has greenlit a $57.8 million project to install a new underground transmission line spanning approximately five-and-one-half miles between the Burns substation and the West Nyack Substation in the town of Clarkstown, New York.
Massachusetts Clean Water Trust approves $44.7 million in water infrastructure funding
The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust's Board of Trustees has greenlit $44,768,312 in new low-interest loans and grants during its February 14, 2024, meeting, aimed at bolstering water infrastructure across the state.
Rhode Island seeks input on Woonsocket's clean water infrastructure replacement plan
The Rhode Island Department of Health has issued a public notice seeking feedback on the proposed 2023 update to the Clean Water Infrastructure Replacement Plan for the City of Woonsocket Water Department.
New York to invest $49 million for statewide water infrastructure projects
The Board's approval authorizes municipal access to over $37 million in low-cost short-term financing and previously announced grants to modernize critical drinking water and sewer systems. This infusion of funding will help significantly improve water quality, protect drinking water, and promote economic development in local communities.
Clarksburg, W.Va., receives $6.88 million for water system upgrades
The $6.88 million has been awarded to the Clarksburg Water Board to replace service lines in the Northview, Rosebud, and Stealey communities, as well as a transmission line off Van Buren Street. It will also repair and remediate a water main break on West Pike Street in downtown Clarksburg.
Lumos secures $2 million fiber optic project in Spartanburg County, S.C.
The funding will enable the company to build approximately $2 million worth of fiber optic technology to reach unserved and underserved households in the Spartanburg community.
South Dakota scrambles to spend $700 million on water infrastructure upgrades by end of 2024
$600 million has been allocated to over 200 water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, but that less than 33% has been spent. Lawmakers are proposing that the unallocated and unspent money go towards project that have already gone through the approval process.
Maine governor fast-tracks $50 million infrastructure resilience plan
Governor Janet Mills plans to invest $50 million in the Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund to help Maine communities rebuild in the wake of the recent devastating storms and ensure their infrastructure can withstand the impacts of extreme storms in the future.
“Startling” report exposes government’s urgent need to increase water infrastructure funding
ABWC’s new Business Impact Fact Sheet, “10 Extreme Water Disasters in 10 Days Shut Down Local Economies Across the Nation,” gathers a list of water infrastructure failures directly tied to extreme weather and business loss in or surrounding major metropolitan areas in all regions of the country between the dates of Jan. 14 and Jan. 23.
Washington's Department of Ecology proposes $386 million clean water investment plan
The Department of Ecology in Washington state has proposed $386 million in grants and loans for 134 high-priority clean water projects. These projects aim to upgrade wastewater treatment and sewer systems, manage polluted stormwater, and address nonpoint pollution across the state.
Hawaiian Electric's $190 million grid resilience plan approved with undergrounding initiatives
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved Hawaiian Electric's $190 million Climate Adaptation Transmission and Distribution Resilience Program application, which will help defend against the increasing threat of wildfires.
Michigan officials roll out Filter First program targeting clean drinking water in schools
Bipartisan legislation in Michigan allocates $50 million to install lead-reducing water stations in schools and childcare centers, bolstering efforts to eliminate lead in public water supplies.
DEQ awards nearly $270,000 to four drinking water and wastewater systems across Idaho
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has announced the award of $267,500 to four drinking water and wastewater systems to help the facilities evaluate system deficiencies and determine necessary upgrades.
Illinois EPA awards over $2.7 million in funding to replace lead service lines in Galena
The city anticipates using the funding to replace approximately 300 lead services lines in the community. Lead is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body over time.
New Mexico governor unveils 50-year water action plan
Governor Michelle Lujan unveiled a water action plan at the State Capitol on Jan. 30 with the goal of ensuring New Mexicans will have access to clean water for the next five decades.
Massachusetts Clean Water Trust grants $51 million for 14 municipal water projects
The grant funds will help cities, towns, counties, and water utilities pay for the $237 million in total project cost for improvements to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
North Carolina allocated $40 million to identify, replace lead service lines statewide
North Carolina’s Division of Water Infrastructure received $87 million of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $15 billion for various water infrastructure projects across the state. Of the $87 million, over $40 million has been allocated via loans and grants to roughly 60 communities to find and replace lead service lines.
Milton, Del., residents overwhelmingly approve $6.2 million water projects in referendum
In a decisive mandate on Jan. 27, residents of Milton, Delaware, expressed overwhelming support for a referendum allowing the town to secure a $6.2 million loan for vital water infrastructure initiatives.
Pennsylvania's water infrastructure gets boost with $194 million investment
The federal funding supports 28 critical water projects in the state—addressing issues like lead pipe replacement, system rehabilitation, service upgrades, and environmental contamination reduction across drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
Illinois EPA invests over $66 million in water infrastructure projects
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has recently announced a substantial investment of more than $66 million in various water infrastructure projects for the first half of fiscal year 2024.
Maryland's ambitious flood mitigation project set to break ground in Ellicott City
The Extended North Tunnel, designed to carry 26,000 gallons of stormwater per second through a mile-long, 18-foot diameter tunnel, is a crucial element in the multimillion-dollar initiative to mitigate flooding in Ellicott City, Maryland.
EPA to establish National Stormwater Centers of Excellence with $3 million grant program
Once selected, the Stormwater Centers of Excellence will develop and enhance stormwater best practices by conducting research on new and emerging stormwater control infrastructure technologies and alternative funding approaches; providing technical assistance to state, Tribal and local governments; and collaborating with regional institutions.
Governor Hochul greenlights $78 million for crucial water infrastructure upgrades across New York
Governor Kathy Hochul has approved $78 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects in the Capital Region, Finger Lakes, New York City, North Country, Southern Tier and Western New York regions.
DOE awards $34 million for advancing underground power line technologies
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $34 million for 12 projects across 11 states to strengthen and modernize America’s aging power grid through the development of cost-effective, high-speed, and safe undergrounding technologies.
Minnesota governor unveils $119 million water infrastructure investment in 2024 infrastructure plan
In a groundbreaking move aimed at safeguarding the health and safety of Minnesotans, Governor Tim Walz revealed a comprehensive $119 million investment in water infrastructure as part of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor’s 2024 Infrastructure Plan.
Albemarle, N.C., secures $17 million state funding for water and sewer upgrades
According to WSOC-TV, the city of Albemarle is set to enhance its water systems with a substantial $17 million funding allocation from the North Carolina State budget.
- Intrepid Fiber breaks ground on fiber optic network in Superior, Colo.
- Excavator collides with I-95 overpass in Henrico, Va., causing multi-vehicle crash
- Shrewsbury, Mass., expands sewer inspections and cleaning efforts
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs