Municipalities
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.
Communities unite to overcome decades of undrinkable water in West Texas
In rural West Texas, water problems underscore a broader issue: a 2016 report revealed 65 Texas systems with excessive arsenic, impacting 51,000 residents. Despite this, around 65 residents convened at a July meeting united in their aim to establish the South Plains Water Supply Corporation. Moreover, relief is on the horizon with $2.5 billion in federal funding allocated for water infrastructure.
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.
Vegas water agency empowered to limit home water flows in future
Nevada has taken a dramatic, but not immediate, step toward limiting the amount of Colorado River water used in the most populous part of the nation’s most arid state, after lawmakers gave Las Vegas-area water managers the levers to limit flows to single-family homes.
San Luis Obispo city officials unanimously approve water and sewer rate increases
(UI) — The city of San Luis Obispo, located in California, unanimously voted to proceed with a proposed plan, resulting in a two-year increase in water service rates for users, with a favorable vote of 5-0.
Water bills for St. Louis residents could rise by 20% due to Board of Aldermen proposal
There is a chance that water costs for St. Louis households might increase significantly. Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer of the 1st Ward submitted a measure on Friday that would raise water costs by around 20%.
California water officials to replace 500 feet of sewer pipe in San Juan Capistrano
(UI) — From June 5 to 18, the Santa Margarita Water District will repair 500 feet of sewer pipes on Los Rios Street as part of San Juan Capistrano's sewer upgrade plans.
Highland Park, Mich., struggles under $20 million water debt, threatening its future
The community near Detroit is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy because it cannot pay its bills to the utility providing drinking water to the city. The debt owed to the Great Lakes Water Authority stretches back to at least the 1990s when the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department ran the water system.
Pittsburgh water rates could increase nearly 60% over next 3 years
(UI) — In order to continue funding its plans for infrastructure upgrades, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has submitted a request to state regulators for a rate increase of over 60% over the upcoming three years.
Biden approves federal disaster relief for utilities in Vermont communities affected by winter storm
On Tuesday Gov. Phil Scott and the three members of the state’s congressional delegation said a preliminary damage assessment by the Federal Emergency Management Agency identified nearly $3 million in eligible costs from public and non-profit utilities in communities recovering from the storm.
Las Vegas water agency seeks power to limit residential use
State lawmakers on Monday are scheduled to discuss granting the power to limit what comes out of residents’ taps to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the agency managing the Colorado River supply to the city. If lawmakers approve the bill, Nevada would be the first state to give a water agency permanent jurisdiction over the amount of residential use.
Public water utilities say Senate bill will force up rates
Legislation criticized by opponents as a vehicle for-profit water companies to take over municipal water authorities in Pennsylvania by imposing expensive regulations on them passed the Republican-controlled state Senate on Tuesday.
UCT 2022 gathers in Fort Worth, TX
UCT 2022 gathered in Fort Worth, TX to recognize educational presenters and promotors within the industry.
Thousands Without Heat, Water After Tornadoes Kill Dozens
Many Kentucky residents are without power and water after a powerful tornado blew through the state.
South Sioux City Council Approves settlement Over Biogas Plant
A settlement has been reached for a biogas plant that produced fumes affecting surrounding homeowners.
Washington, D.C. Civil Engineers Give the District’s Infrastructure a “C” Grade
Washington D.C. received an overall grade of a "C" in its most recent infrastructure report card.
Pennsylvania’s Gas-Well Revenue Down as Price, Drilling Drop
Gas well revenue in Pennsylvania is at its lowest after prices sank during the pandemic.
Boil Advisory Lifted for All of Jackson, One Month Later
February's deep freeze kept Jackson, Mississippi for 30 days following the weather.
Colorado Activates Municipal Drought Response Plan as 2021 Water Forecast Darkens
Colorado prepares for a dry season approaching in 2021.
Aegion Corp. Plans to Focus on Municipal Wastewater and Drinking Water Markets
Aegion Corporation plans to divest the Company’s Energy Services segment to focus on wastewater and drinking water markets.
Michigan Governor Announces $500 Million Water Infrastructure Plan
The governor of Michigan has announced a $500 million dollar plan to upgrade the state's water and wastewater infrastructure.
Study Predicts $52 Billion in Water Utility Trenchless Technology Investments over Next Decade
A new study by Bluefield Research expects the economic recession combined with aging water infrastructure across the country will spur over $50 billion in trenchless technology investments.
Analysis: Laura Reminds of Louisiana’s Fragile Water Systems
The high water and flooding in Louisiana from Hurricane Laura last month brought into sharp relief the fragility of the state's water systems, three years after the state's drinking water infrastructure received nearly a failing grade.
Chicago Plans to Replace Lead Water Pipes
Chicago water management officials say they are working on a plan to replace the lead service pipes that connect more than 350,000 homes to the city’s cast-iron street mains, but it is not clear how the massive program will be funded.
North Carolina Utilities Told to Stop Disconnections Through August
Regulators in North Carolina have instructed the state's large, for-profit utility companies to continue delaying disconnections through the month of August.
EPA Announces $6 Billion in New Funding for Water Infrastructure Projects
The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $6 billion in funding to support water infrastructure projects around the county.
Utility & Communications Construction Update
The spread of the coronavirus has upended almost every staple of U.S. life, and businesses have no sense of what the next two weeks, much less the next two months, could look like. With these themes as the backdrop, there are some takeaways we can share for planning the next six months, as we consider both oil and the spread of the coronavirus.
Researchers Test Wastewater to Track Spread of Coronavirus
Researchers have determined that wastewater testing can provide an effective way to measure the prevalence of Covid-19 and gain a better understanding of its spread in communities where other means of testing may under-report its presence.
23rd Annual Municipal Sewer/Water Infrastructure Forecast
It’s a presidential election year, and usually that spells trouble for public works funding programs. However, for the sewer, water and stormwater markets, that doesn’t seem to be the case in 2020. Cities expect spending to be stable, or even grow.
New Jersey Capital City Spending $150 Million to Replace Lead Pipes
All 37,000 of the lead water pipes in New Jersey’s capital city will be replaced over the next five years at an estimated cost of $150 million, Trenton officials said Thursday.
- 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