Legal
California steps in to regulate over-drafted groundwater resources
The state’s water resources board set an April hearing to determine whether the Tulare Lake Subbasin in the heart of California’s farm country should be placed on probation.
Wisconsin lawmakers to vote on spending bill to address PFAS water contamination
The measure would create a grant program to help municipalities and landowners test for PFAS in their water treatment plants and wells.
EPA orders three Ohio water systems to comply with America's Water Infrastructure Act
The EPA took action to ensure the Village of McDonald, the Leading Creek Conservancy District in Rutland and the Buckeye Water District in Wellsville certify their risk and resilience assessments and emergency response plans.
Arizona governor terminates Saudi-owned farm lease over “unchecked” groundwater pumping
An investigation by the governor’s office found that the foreign-owned farm had violated some of its lease terms. Hobbs called it unacceptable that the farm “continued to pump unchecked amounts of groundwater out of our state while in clear default on their lease.”
Local California farmers battle with big businesses over groundwater water rights in court
For years, California didn’t regulate groundwater, allowing farmers and residents alike to drill wells and take what they needed. That changed in 2014 amid a historic drought, and as ever-deeper wells caused land in some places to sink.
US Navy reprimands officers for 2021 contamination of Pearl Harbor drinking water
A Navy investigation last year concluded a series of errors caused the fuel to leak into a well that supplied water to housing and offices in and around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Activists attempt to join lawsuit against Jackson, Miss. for violating drinking water standards
Federally-appointed Ted Henifin began working on several projects to improve the water infrastructure, such as repairing broken water lines and a plan to improve the city’s ability to collect water bills.
Michigan state officials dismissed from water contamination lawsuit, city officials not spared
Experts said an aging water system, fewer users and other issues caused lead to leach from pipes in Benton Harbor, a community of just under 10,000 people.
Michigan rejects last effort to criminally charge officials in Flint water scandal
Managers appointed by Snyder turned the Flint River into a source for Flint water in 2014, but the water wasn’t treated to reduce its corrosive impact on old pipes. As a result, lead contaminated the system for 18 months.
Federal court grants preliminary approval of $12.5 billion PFAS water contamination case
A federal district court in South Carolina granted preliminary approval of a $12.5 billion class action settlement on behalf of public water systems nationwide over claims that major chemical manufacturer, 3M, contaminated water sources across the country with PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”
Pennsylvania Supreme Court to consider legality of university’s stormwater charge exemption
In January, Commonwealth Court ruled the stormwater charge imposed by the borough of West Chester is actually a tax, and therefore the state-owned West Chester University should not have to pay an annual bill of around $130,000.
Former fiscal officer repays mishandled sewer fees in Ohio's Gallia County
(UI) — A former fiscal officer has reimbursed $7,047 in sewer receipts collected from customers but not deposited into the Village of Centerville's accounts in Gallia County, as announced by Auditor of State Keith Faber.
Michigan appeals court upholds decision striking down water rules on PFAS
In a 2-1 opinion Tuesday affirming a 2022 decision by a lower court, the appeals court didn’t address the merits of adopting tougher drinking water standards. Rather, it said the state failed to estimate the cost of any groundwater cleanup that could be associated with the new rules.
Iowa utility regulators begin hearing on proposed Summit CO2 pipeline
Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed $5.5 billion, 2,000-mile pipeline network would carry CO2 from 34 ethanol plants in five states to North Dakota for storage deep underground — a project involving carbon capture technology, which has attracted both interest and scrutiny in the U.S.
Kent County Water Authority joins PFAS groundwater contamination lawsuit against 3M, Dupont
The costs to remove of these toxic ‘forever chemicals’ has created a financial burden for the Kent County Water Authority, and initiation of this litigation and the terms of the proposed settlement will allow KCWA to hold the PFAS manufacturers financially accountable for the costs, expenses and impacts caused by this contamination.
Bloomfield Township's NPDES permit relies on new ordinance for stormwater control
(UI) — Bloomfield Township's NPDES permit hinges on a new ordinance aimed at preventing non-stormwater discharges from entering the municipal separate storm sewer system, as unanimously enacted by the Township's Board of Trustees on July 24.
22 attorneys urge federal court to reject $10.3 billion PFAS contamination settlement
The deal announced in June doesn’t give individual water suppliers enough time to determine how much money they would get and whether it would cover their costs of removing the compounds known collectively as PFAS, said the officials with 19 states, Washington, D.C., and two territories.
OSHA cites Chicago company for 2022 trench collapse that killed one worker
Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors determined the employer, Rooter Solutions Inc. of Burr Ridge, failed to install cave-in protection in the trench and did not require head protection, the agency announced Friday.
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.
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.
Michigan declines to charge former governor for Flint water scandal
Snyder was governor in 2014 when Flint, under state management, began using the Flint River as a water source. But unlike the previous supply, the water wasn’t treated to reduce the impact on old pipes, unleashing lead throughout the city.
EPA rejects Texas claim that new water rule leads to “regulatory uncertainty”
“Plaintiffs’ claims of harm are premised on either a complete disregard for the Rule’s similarity to the status quo they seek to maintain,” the Environmental Protection Agency said.
Idaho joins Texas lawsuit against Biden administration over federal clean-water rules
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador contend that a new interpretation of a Clean Water Act rule is too vague, oversteps the bounds of federal authority and puts the liberties of states and private property owners at risk.
Former Maui official gets 10 years for taking $2 million in wastewater contract bribes
A former Maui County official was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison for accepting $2 million in bribes from a Honolulu businessman in one of the biggest bribery cases in Hawaii history. Milton Choy, the owner of a Honolulu company that provides wastewater services and supplies, was accused of bribing Stewart Olani Stant, who was a wastewater manager and then director of the Maui County Department of Environmental Management.
Judge declares mistrial in engineers' Flint water trial
A judge declared a mistrial Thursday after jurors said they couldn't reach a unanimous verdict in a dispute over whether two engineering firms should bear some responsibility for Flint's lead-contaminated water.
Lack of water in Puerto Rico town sparks federal lawsuit
Puerto Rico’s water and sewer company was hit by a federal lawsuit on Thursday demanding that it provide services to thousands of residents who lack potable water on a daily basis.
4 companies cited for Louisiana chemical plant explosion
Federal labor regulators have cited four employers for safety violations related to an explosion that injured workers at a Louisiana chemical plant.
Michigan Supreme Court adds 2nd Flint water case to docket
The Michigan Supreme Court is getting more involved in Flint water criminal cases after agreeing to hear arguments about whether a one-person grand jury violates the state constitution.
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.
Former sewer district bookkeeper pleads guilty to embezzlement
A former North Carolina sewer district bookkeeper pleads guilty to embezzlement of nearly half a million dollars.
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