Funding
Texas House approves bill to set aside billions to upgrade state’s aging water system
A bill that was approved by the Texas House on Wednesday by a vote of 136-8 would establish a new fund to kickstart significant water supply projects and repair deteriorating water infrastructure around the state, The Texas Tribune reported.
Fiber Broadband Association expands state broadband resources with Workforce Development Guidebook
(UI) — FBA’s Workforce Development Guidebook notes that, according to the government’s calculations, 150,000 telecom jobs will be created by BEAD, while research by the Fiber Broadband Association estimates the industry will need over 205,000 new jobs in the next five years to construct, operate, and maintain these new networks in every state.
Brown and Caldwell, AECOM chosen for landmark Pure Water Southern California program
(UI) — A joint venture of AECOM and Brown and Caldwell (AECOM-BC Team) has been chosen to provide program and project management support and engineering design services for the Pure Water Southern California program, one of the largest water reuse programs in the world.
Texas sets deadline for water utilities to apply for $213 million lead pipe location, replacement funding
As part of the state’s goal to eliminate 100% of buried lead water service pipes, a total of $213,455,000 is currently available for projects under the State Fiscal Year 2023 Lead Service Line Replacement Intended Use Plan.
Judge OKs money for billing system upgrade for Jackson water
A judge Tuesday approved a request to set aside federal money for new billing software and other services for the troubled water system in Mississippi’s capital city.
60-Year wait ends as Arkansas Valley clean water pipeline project begins construction
(UI) — Although hundreds of millions of dollars in funding are still required, a project promised by former president John F. Kennedy to provide clean water to communities in the Lower Arkansas Valley is now officially under way.
Jackson needs federal funds to cover infrastructure repairs, appointee says
The manager appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice to oversee reforms to the beleaguered water system in Mississippi’s capital city says he won’t have enough money to cover expenses until more federal funds arrive.
Tennessee announces $232 million in additional funding for water infrastructure
(UI) — The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced 102 grants totaling $232,709,981 of which TDEC is administering in the form of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure grants.
Pearland city officials approve plan to rehabilitate 20,000 feet of sewer pipes
(UI) — A sanitary sewer restoration contract for $2.88 million from Texas Pride Utilities was unanimously approved last month by the Pearland City Council for the Barry Rose and Old Town Site neighborhoods.
Researchers develop safety monitoring system for construction sites
(UI) — University of Houston computer scientists have developed a new system to keep construction workers safe at job sites. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 4,764 workers died on the job in 2020. Employees in construction and extraction occupations accounted for 20% of those deaths.
Cal Water receives $4.3 million grant to connect communities to Salinas system
Grant funding will go toward engineering, design, environmental mitigation, construction, and other related costs to install about 7,300 feet of water main and extend water service to the communities.
83 projects awarded $585 million to improve aging water infrastructure, advance drought resilience
(UI) — The Biden-Harris administration has awarded nearly $585 million in funding to 83 projects across 11 states to increase drought resilience and improve water delivery systems.
US judge temporarily blocks Biden’s clean water rule in 24 states
A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked a federal rule in 24 states that is intended to protect thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways throughout the nation.
Governor Hochul to invest over $70 million in critical water infrastructure projects across New York
(UI) — Governor Kathy Hochul announced over $70 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State on April 5. The Suffolk County Water Authority will receive $16.2 million in funding for 11 drinking water projects.
Iowa’s water infrastructure rated “mediocre” by engineering group
(UI) — The Iowa section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released the 2023 Report Card for Iowa’s Infrastructure on Tuesday, with the state’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure receiving a grade of “C” and “C-.” Its energy and stormwater infrastructure received a grade of “C+” and “D+.” According to the report, a C is considered “mediocre,” while a D is “poor.”
EPA releases 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment
(UI) — The Safe Drinking Water Act requires that the EPA conduct a survey and assessment every four years to examine the needs for infrastructure improvements and maintenance at public water systems. The 7th DWINSA estimates that $625 billion will be needed for infrastructure improvements over the next 20 years — a 32% increase from the $472.6 billion projected in 2022.
US cities win nearly $200 million in grants for pipeline upgrades
Federal officials announced the first $196 million of grants Wednesday in a $1 billion program to repair and replace aging and sometimes leaking natural gas pipelines across the country.
Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska granted $248 million to upgrade drinking water infrastructure
(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday that Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska will receive a total of roughly $248 million for essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades. Missouri is slated to get $106.4 million, Iowa roughly $79.8 million and Nebraska is expected to receive $46 million.
Indiana American Water files rate request driven by $875 million wastewater investment
(UI) — Indiana American Water filed a rate adjustment request on March 31 with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission reflecting $875 million in water and wastewater system investments to be made through 2025.
North Carolina lawmakers propose $2 billion investment plan for water, sewer projects
Rep. Dean Arp, a Union County Republican and one of the chief budget writers, said the House plan includes $3.6 billion on infrastructure investments over the next two years, along with $2 billion for local and regional water and sewer system projects.
Congress approves measure to toss Biden’s water protections
Congress on Wednesday approved a resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s protections for the nation’s waterways that Republicans have criticized as a burden on business, advancing a measure that President Joe Biden has promised to veto.
Mississippi lawmakers stop effort to take over Jackson water
Mississippi lawmakers are giving up on an effort to create a state-dominated board to oversee the troubled water system in the state’s capital city.
Governor Polis signs proposal to fund 60 drinking water projects across Colorado
(UI) — The state of Colorado will now be providing funding for about 60 drinking water projects across the state, according to legislation that was signed last month by Governor Jared Polis.
Alabama to spend $400 million in funding on water, sewer infrastructure; $260 million on broadband
Alabama will spend the remaining $1 billion of its pandemic relief funds largely on a mixture of water and sewer infrastructure, broadband expansion and healthcare reimbursements, under a bill introduced Wednesday.
Groups accuse Alabama of discrimination in wastewater funds
Environmental organizations filed a civil rights complaint against Alabama on Monday, accusing the state of discriminating against minority communities in how it distributes funding for wastewater infrastructure, including money for families who need help dealing with raw sewage in their yards.
Newsline
Latest industry developments
Biden to require US-made steel, iron for infrastructure
The Biden administration is beginning to issue requirements for how projects funded by the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package source their construction material.
Gulf Coast, Mississippi River cities eager for flood funding
Cities on the Louisiana coast and Mississippi River are hoping President Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure package will provide badly needed funding to fortify locks, levees and other flood protections.
EPA Outlines $7.4 Billion for Water Infrastructure Headed to States
States, Native American tribes and U.S. territories will receive $7.4 billion in 2022 to improve water quality and access, the first installment from the infrastructure bill that President Joe Biden signed into law last month.
States Sue to Undo Biden Pause on US Oil & Gas Lease Sales
Several states sue to undo Biden's pause on oil ad gas lease sales.
- DeLa Express seeks FERC approval for Permian-to-Louisiana gas pipeline project
- Hudson Tunnel Project set to generate 95,000 jobs during construction phase, report says
- OSHA penalizes Houston contractor over safety violations resulting in worker's death
- Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes
- Damage prevention and safety: Turning awareness into action