Inspection
EPA lifts emergency order on Flint, Mich., water, restoring standard lead monitoring
The EPA has lifted its 2016 emergency order on Flint, Mich.’s drinking water, citing full compliance with federal lead standards. City officials vow continued investment in water safety and infrastructure.
EPA announces rollback for some Biden-era limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
The EPA is scaling back PFAS regulations under the Trump administration, delaying compliance for PFOA and PFOS while withdrawing limits for other chemicals.
Aqua Pennsylvania to install PFAS treatment, replace over 200 lead lines in multiple counties
Aqua Pennsylvania will install PFAS treatment systems and replace over 200 lead service lines across several counties as part of its ongoing water quality upgrades, with completion expected by 2026.
EPA faces key decision on future of national PFAS drinking water limits
The EPA is expected to decide soon whether to uphold strict PFAS drinking water limits challenged by utilities, with millions of Americans' water protections hanging in the balance.
Clock ticking on Canandaigua, N.Y., plan to remove toxic chemicals from water
Senator Schumer is urging the EPA to end delays and approve $1.75 million in funding for Canandaigua, N.Y.'s drinking water upgrade. The project, vital for 40,000 residents in Ontario and Wayne counties, targets harmful DBP chemicals linked to cancer and organ damage.
Pennsylvania American Water to replace 550 lead service lines in New Castle
The project will replace approximately 550 identified lead water service lines. Removing all leaded components will improve water quality for customers and aligns with regulatory initiatives.
BGE refutes claims of pipeline safety risks tied to falsified contractor audit
BGE has rejected claims by the Maryland PSC that its gas pipeline safety was compromised due to a former employee’s falsified inspection. The company insists no systemwide risks exist and defends its disciplinary handling of the matter.
Illinois notifies 47 water systems of PFAS violations, triggers right-to-know requirements
Illinois EPA has notified 47 community water systems of PFAS violations under newly adopted groundwater standards. Affected systems must alert the public under Right-to-Know rules, as state and federal agencies ramp up PFAS oversight.
PFAS contamination detected in groundwater system on Hawaiʻi’s most populated island
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) has detected PFAS chemicals in water samples from the Hōʻaeʻae Wells Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Treatment Facility, which serves the Waipahu ʻEwa Waiʻanae water system on Oʻahu.
NASSCO Tech Tip: Force main and siphon inspection and maintenance
EPA CMOM, as well as local and state regulatory agencies, urge collection system inspections, and two of the more difficult assets to inspect and maintain are wastewater force mains and siphons. Luckily, today there are currently more options than ever to better manage these assets.
Aries Industries celebrates 40 years of advancing underground infrastructure inspections
Aries Industries, a company specializing in state-of-the-art equipment for inspection and maintenance of underground infrastructure, is marking its 40th anniversary with a renewed commitment to the strong partnership culture that has fueled the company’s longevity.
Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs
The innovation, known as a "peristaltic conduit," mimics the segmented movement of earthworms to propel itself through the soil with minimal disruption to existing infrastructure.
Shrewsbury, Mass., expands sewer inspections and cleaning efforts
Sewer system inspections and maintenance are underway in Shrewsbury as part of the town’s effort to reduce groundwater infiltration and improve wastewater infrastructure.
Turning awareness into action: 811 call centers
Despite widespread awareness of 811 requirements, damage to underground utilities remains high. This article urges contractors to consistently use state OneCall centers and provides a full directory for safe digging compliance.
Alaska’s infrastructure grade rises to ‘C’, but water and energy still lag
The ASCE has released its 2025 Report Card for Alaska’s Infrastructure, raising the state’s overall grade to a ‘C’—an improvement from the ‘C-’ it received in 2021. However, key sectors like drinking water, wastewater, and energy continue to struggle, receiving some of the lowest grades.
Fla. Senator’s bill aims to mitigate flooding by requiring storm drain inspections
According to ABC Action News, Florida state senator Danny Burgess has proposed a bill that would require stormwater drain inspections ahead of storm season in an effort to mitigate flooding.
Texas infrastructure stuck at ‘C’ as energy, water systems struggle
The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has given the state’s infrastructure a cumulative grade of ‘C’ in its 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card—unchanged from 2021.
Vortex launches water division to tackle aging infrastructure
Vortex Companies has launched Vortex Water, a new division focused on water infrastructure rehabilitation. The move expands the company's trenchless solutions beyond sewer and industrial systems to address aging water pipelines with advanced materials, liners, and trenchless technologies.
Wisconsin to invest $145 million in PFAS cleanup for municipal water systems
Gov. Tony Evers has announced a $145 million initiative as part of his 2025-27 Executive Budget to combat PFAS contamination, protect families from harmful water pollutants, and improve access to clean drinking water across Wisconsin.
In the know – CCTV contract administration
Many municipalities invest heavily in CCTV inspections for sewer condition assessment and face challenges throughout the collection process that can be traced back to avoidable issues in contract administration. Efficient administration is crucial for successful CCTV inspection contracts, yet the essentials are often learned through trial and error.
Driggs, Idaho commits to $25 million wastewater upgrade after Clean Water Act violations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Justice, the state of Idaho, and the City of Driggs, Idaho have agreed on a series of measures the city will undertake to address chronic violations of the Clean Water Act, including a major upgrade of its wastewater treatment plant.
EPA and Washington fine Seattle, King County for sewer overflow violations
The Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have jointly issued penalties to Seattle and King County for violations related to combined sewer overflows.
Leaking wastewater systems named top source of San Diego River contamination, study finds
(UI) — A five-year study by the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) has identified deteriorating wastewater infrastructure as the primary source of human fecal contamination in the San Diego River.
Weeks after storm, major infrastructure repairs continue on I-40, utilities in Western North Carolina
Several weeks after Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, significant infrastructure damage, including key sections of I-40 and local utilities, continues to hamper the region.
Oklahoma City publishes water service line inventory, plans to replace lead pipes by 2027
The Oklahoma City Utilities Department has published an online inventory of all water service lines connected to the city’s water system, as part of its efforts to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.
Lubbock, Texas, completes water service line inventory, finds no lead pipes
Lubbock Water Utilities has completed a comprehensive inventory of water service lines, confirming that there are no lead service lines in the city.
Lummus Technology expands PFAS detection and treatment services
Lummus Technology, a global leader in process technologies, has introduced new analytical services for detecting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as "forever chemicals."
EPA mandates lead pipe replacement within 10 years, allocates $44 million to New Jersey for clean water
The Biden-Harris Administration has introduced a new rule requiring U.S. water systems to replace all lead pipes within the next decade, aiming to reduce lead exposure and provide cleaner drinking water.
Water utilities race to complete lead line inventories as EPA deadline looms
As the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Oct. 16 deadline approaches, water utilities across the U.S. are scrambling to submit detailed inventories of lead service lines as required by the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
Wisconsin Whey Protein settles for $350,000 over wastewater violations
Wisconsin Whey Protein Inc. has agreed to pay $350,000 and install a new cooling system to resolve violations of state wastewater and stormwater laws at its Darlington cheese and whey plant.
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- NTSB publishes preliminary report on fatal gas pipeline explosion in Lexington, Mo.
- OSHA fines Calif. company for violations that led to fatal trench collapse
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds
- Ditch Witch West sells first Bulldog trencher to speed up undergrounding work along West Coast
- Maryland lawmakers push to curb BGE pipeline spending, citing safety and cost concerns
- Charlottesville, Va., to begin work on 24-inch water line for Rivanna River crossing
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish