Inspection
Extended reprieve for New Orleans water systems as saltwater intrusion slows
Authorities said that saltwater inching up the Mississippi River is progressing more slowly than projected, meaning water systems in the greater New Orleans area that draw drinking water from the river have additional weeks to prepare.
Contractor killed in San Francisco trench collapse, prompts investigation
(UI) — A contractor in San Francisco's Lower Haight died on Sept. 28 after a trench beneath a sidewalk collapsed. While five workers managed to escape, one male worker became trapped under eight feet of dirt and debris.
Ensuring quality control and proper storage of cured-in-place pipe lining
(UI) — Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) has revolutionized the rehabilitation of underground pipelines, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution. What was once considered an alternative pipe replacement solution, CIPP is increasingly becoming the accepted go-to pipe rehabilitation method.
Biden restores states' and tribes' authority over waterways, including gas pipelines
The rule, which takes effect in November, reverses a Trump-era action that limited the ability of states and tribes to review pipelines, dams and other federally regulated projects within their borders.
Advocates urge expanded public hearings about Baltimore’s water and sewer system
(UI) — The Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task Force announced that it would hold four in-person meetings throughout this fall before recommending a new governance model for the city’s water and wastewater system.
Houston and San Antonio face sewer, water struggles amid central US deadly heat wave
Deadly heat has gripped Texas for much of the summer and has now spread into other parts of the central U.S., where it is expected to persist for days. Triple-digit temperatures are buckling roads, straining water systems, and posing a threat to the power grid of the nation’s energy capital.
Federal judge orders utility to turn over customer information amid reports of improper water use
In a Monday court filing, U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate granted a motion by Ted Henifin — the federally appointed interim manager of Jackson’s water and sewer systems — that compels Entergy Mississippi to turn over names, addresses and contact information for customers in over 30 zip codes in the area.
Sewer line repair leads to 10,000-gallon wastewater spill in Florida’s Riviera Bay
(UI) — In Pinellas County, Florida, the municipality of St. Petersburg has reported an incident involving the discharge of around 10,000 gallons of wastewater into Riviera Bay while addressing a rupture in a sewer line.
Underground gas leak unlikely cause of fatal Pennsylvania house blast
It is unlikely that natural gas seeped from an abandoned underground mine and caused a house explosion in western Pennsylvania last weekend that killed six people, state officials said Friday.
Lehigh County seeks customer help to survey 12,400 Allentown lead service lines
(UI) — Despite the Lehigh County Authority's awareness of approximately 12,400 lead service lines dispersed across Allentown, there remains a significant gap in knowledge regarding the composition of about 9,000 water service lines. To address this information deficit, the LCA has initiated a customer survey.
Ohio governor awards $135 million to 90 water infrastructure improvement projects
(UI) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik have announced grant awards totaling $135 million that will support 90 critical water infrastructure projects in 64 counties throughout the state.
South Dakota receives federal grant to remove lead in school drinking water
(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $426,000 in grant funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to remove lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities across South Dakota.
Wisconsin governor greenlights funds for PFAS eradication in stormwater, sewer systems
(UI) — Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have announced new funding available to help communities address per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in wastewater.
Flint contractor agrees to settlement of lead contamination lawsuits
Flint families sued LAN and another contractor, Veolia North America, accusing them of not doing enough to get Flint to treat highly corrosive water or to urge a return to a regional water supplier.
Sewer main failure causes water contamination in Georgia’s One-Mile Branch Creek
(UI) — The Utilities Department was able to detect a failure in an eight-inch sanitary sewage main after a thorough investigation and video inspections.
3M reaches $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of water systems with ‘forever chemicals’
Chemical manufacturer 3M Co. will pay at least $10.3 billion to settle lawsuits over the contamination of many U.S. public drinking water systems with potentially harmful compounds used in firefighting foam and a host of consumer products, the company said Thursday.
The water in Mississippi’s capital is safe to drink, city officials say
Jackson has struggled with water problems for decades. Most of the city lost running water for several days in August and September after heavy rainfall exacerbated problems at the city’s main water treatment plant.
Republican lawmakers propose plan to combat PFAS pollution in Wisconsin
Republican legislators have proposed a sweeping new plan to address PFAS pollution that would create grants for local governments, limit regulators’ ability to delay projects on polluted property and mandate studies on how to treat contaminated water.
Wisconsin environmental regulators settle wastewater lawsuit with large dairy farm
One of Wisconsin’s largest dairy operations has settled with state environmental regulators, which calls for the company to eventually stop spreading liquid manure in exchange for avoiding groundwater monitoring requirements.
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.
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.
Military members file claims for fuel in Hawaii Navy drinking water
A Navy sailor, an Army colonel and an Army major are the first active-duty military members taking the initial step toward suing the U.S. government over jet fuel that contaminated drinking water in Hawaii.
Construction entities call for punishment for pipeline attacks, improved mapping in pipeline safety
(UI) — The Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) and the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) have published a letter urging Congress to take action to address the enduring problem of physical attacks on critical energy infrastructure.
Mayor: Water pressure should return to NJ city after break
Officials say water pressure should gradually return to a small New Jersey city across the Hudson River from Manhattan stricken by a water main break that left most residents with no water service or low water pressure.
PG&E curtails plan to bury over 3,500 miles of power lines in effort to reduce wildfires
(UI) — In order to reduce the risk of wildfires in the western United States, California-based electric utility and natural gas supplier PG&E Inc. has scaled back its plans to lay over 3,600 miles of power lines underground through 2026. Beginning in June, PG&E will be tried for manslaughter in connection with fire fatalities allegedly resulting from its overhead power lines, which were blamed for the deadliest wildfire in California history in 2018.
Tech Tips: Solving Infiltration Problems After Structural Rehabilitation
(UI) — The process of sewer system Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) removal requires a holistic approach to truly be effective. Specifically, all four points of infiltration must be addressed to achieve ultimate success. These four points are manholes, mainline joints, service connections and service laterals.
Ayyeka introduces new sewer overflow data management technology
(UI) — Ayyeka’s latest product, Storm Scope, addresses the endless issues connected to combined sewer overflow data management. The Storm Scope software platform collects and organizes data from remote locations, transforming distant landscapes into manageable assets.
Electro Scan UK to assess 31 miles of sewer condition using leak detection technology
(UI) — Electro Scan (UK) Ltd. has been awarded an additional 50 km (31 miles) of sewer condition assessment project for Southern Water, working under framework contractor Cappagh Browne. Last year Electro Scan carried out their first large project for British-based Southern Water covering 51 km (31 miles) of sewer condition assessment.
Updated ASCE manhole guidelines focus on inspection, rehabilitation methods
(UI) — ASCE’s Manual of Practice, Manhole Inspection and Rehabilitation, Third Edition, MOP 92, provides a valuable update to reflect current and complete inspection, as well as grading protocol that offers logical step-by-step guidance for maintaining and improving the longevity of manhole systems.
- Contractor killed in San Francisco trench collapse, prompts investigation
- HDD mud spills force authorities to halt wastewater pipeline construction in NY’s Genesee County
- Inside infrastructure: GIS offers best way to improve underground facility maps
- Groundbreaking advances made with EPBM tunnel constructed below sea level
- Russ Ford named 2024 MVP of underground infrastructure industry
- Geotechnical Conditions And How They Relate To Pipe Bursting
- HDD mud spills force authorities to halt wastewater pipeline construction in NY’s Genesee County
- Editor’s Log: Who’s behind those pearls of wisdom (or that poison pen)?
- CGA’s DIRT report correlates infrastructure investment with increased excavation damage
- California approves PG&E rate increase to underground power lines for wildfire prevention