Pipeline Construction

Pennsylvania Shuts Down Mariner East 1 Pipeline Because of Sinkhole

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – State regulators are temporarily shutting down a major pipeline after sinkholes in the Philadelphia suburbs exposed the 8-inch-diameter pipe, threatening nearby homes and a rail line. The Philadelphia Inquirer says the Public Utility Commission chairwoman ordered an immediate..

Mexico City: Water Cutoffs in Capital Worsened by Sabotage

MEXICO CITY (AP) –  Mexico City officials say intentional sabotage may be contributing to recurrent water shortages that have caused protests on the streets of the city of 9 million people. In recent weeks, officials have blamed dry faucets in many neighborhoods on everything from power shortages..

Water Pressure Begins to Return in Metro Atlanta

DORAVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Authorities say water pressure is beginning to return to parts of a Georgia county after a major water main break shut down schools and businesses in a large part of metro Atlanta. DeKalb County authorities said Wednesday afternoon that crews had isolated the break just ..

$22 Million Sewer and Water Project in New York City Ahead of Schedule

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection today announced a $21.8 million sewer and water infrastructure project in Southeast Queens is on track to be completed three months ahead of schedule. As part of the project, 4,100 feet of new storm sewers, some as large as nine-feet wide and..

Democrats Would Reverse Some Tax Cuts to Fund Infrastructure

WASHINGTON (AP) — For Senate Democrats, voting against the Republican tax cuts that President Donald Trump signed into law wasn’t opposition enough. Now they have a plan to reverse some of the tax breaks for corporations and the wealthiest Americans and put the money instead toward a $1 trillion inf..

Schools, Roads Close After Water Main Break Outside Atlanta

ATLANTA (AP) — A massive water main break sent water gushing into neighborhoods and flooded a major highway near Atlanta on Wednesday morning, forcing more than 100 schools to close and shutting down businesses miles away. The break in a major transmission main also caused water woes for hospitals,..

Alaskan Town to Supply Water for Natural Gas Pipeline

KENAI, Alaska (AP) — An 800-mile (1,287-kilometer) natural gas pipeline will use water from the city of Kenai if the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation builds its proposed liquefaction plant and export terminal in Nikiski, the Peninsula Clarion reported Monday. The previous plan for the LNG pro..

Ohio County Receives $3.5 Million for Water Projects

Muskingum County has received $3,507,000 from the Ohio EPA for two projects to extend public drinking water service to 124 residences and businesses in two rural areas in the county. The larger project will construct 66,000 feet of water lines and a 93-foot tall water tank in the Rix Mills area of ..

Study: U.S. Water Pipeline Failures Cause for Concern

Utah State University’s (USU) Buried Structures Laboratory has published a second comprehensive study on break rates of the most commonly used water pipe materials titled, “Water Main Break Rates In the USA and Canada: A Comprehensive Study.” According to the study, break rates have increased 27% i..

Advanced Drainage Systems Launches “ADS Installation Guides” Mobile App

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (ADS), a global manufacturer of water management products and solutions, today launched the “ADS Installation Guides” mobile application, offering everyday installation instructions for its thermoplastic pipe products. The app is a resource to provide guidance on the ..

Mountain Valley Pipeline Construction Could Soon Start on Private Land in Virginia

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — Work on a natural gas pipeline in southwestern Virginia could soon begin on private land despite property owners’ objections. The Roanoke Times reports that a federal judge on Friday granted Mountain Valley Pipeline access to the areas. The company gained access through the laws..

Great Lakes Advocates to Ask Congress for Water Protections

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) – A coalition of Great Lakes advocates is urging Congress to provide funds for cleaning up the region’s waters and strengthening its water infrastructure. Groups representing businesses, industry, environmentalists, cities, states and tribes will make their annual lobbying..

Pennsylvania DEP Issues Permits for Construction of New Natural Gas, Water Lines

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced it has awarded to Birdsboro Power LLC, DTE Midstream Appalachia, LLC, and the Reading Area Water Authority the permits necessary for the construction of a 450 mega-watt natural gas fired Birdsboro Power electrical generati..

Nearly $17 Million Awarded for Water Projects in Texas

The Texas Water Development Board today approved more than $16 million in financial assistance from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for the following construction projects: $3.56 million to the city of Lawn. The city will use the assistance to cons..

Oysters Recalled After South Carolina Sewer Spill

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Health officials in South Carolina have ordered a recall of oysters harvested where a sewage spill occurred last month. Media outlets reported the Department of Health and Environmental Control estimates about 2.4 million gallons (9 million liters) of raw sewage flowed into ..

API Supports EPA Decision to Roll Back Obama-Era Clean Air Standards

The American Petroleum Institute (API) today released the following statement in support of the EPA’s amendments to its oil and gas air emissions standards and the proposed withdrawal of EPA’s 2016 emissions guidance (Control Technique Guidelines). “We welcome EPA’s technical modifications to its N..

HDD Activities OK’d at Another Nexus Gas Transmission Site

FERC has approved Enbridge’s request to move ahead with construction at the Tuscarawas River horizontal directional drill (HDD) site associated with the Nexus Gas Transmission Pipeline. Last month, the commission approved HDD construction activities at the following 11 sites along the project: W..

Public Hearing Set in Ohio Concerning Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Changes

Ohio EPA today announced it will hold a public hearing on March 6, 2018 concerning proposed changes to lead and copper rules for public water systems. These changes incorporate a new law that ensures homeowners get the timely public notice they deserve whenever high levels of lead are found in drink..

Gas Service Stops for Thousands of Dallas Homes Due to Leaks

DALLAS (AP) — Natural gas service will be shut down to thousands of Dallas homes following a series of leaks that has brought repeated evacuations in the wake of a house explosion that killed a 12-year-old girl. Authorities announced early Thursday that gas service will be discontinued for up to th..

Sterling Construction to Replace Sewer, Water Infrastructure as Part of DFW Freeway Project

Sterling Construction Company, Inc. today announced that its subsidiary, Texas Sterling Construction Co. (TSC), has been awarded a contract by the City of Coppell to replace all existing water and wastewater infrastructure associated with the reconstruction of the Freeport Parkway. Work is schedule..

Air Quality Permit Issued for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A proposed pipeline to bring fracked natural gas from West Virginia to points east and south has won another North Carolina state permit. The Department of Environmental Quality issued Tuesday an air quality permit to Atlantic Coast Pipeline developers for a Northampton County ..

Iowa Officials: Refrigerator Likely Caused Natural Gas Explosion

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a refrigerator likely touched off an explosion of natural gas that ripped through a house in Fort Dodge. The four residents had just been told to leave the house when the blast occurred Feb. 14. Two were unharmed. Two were taken to a hospital. The Messenger ..

Common Ground Alliance Seeks Data Submissions for 2017 DIRT Report

Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the stakeholder-run organization dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them, and their communities, today released a statement urging damage prevention stakeholders to submit data from 2017 underground excavation damages and near miss ev..

Kentucky Water District Gets $3.4 Million Project to Solve Supply Issues

U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) and Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin today announced a $3.4 million project to alleviate water supply issues within the Martin County Water District. The project will help secure clean water for the people of Martin County and will be administered by the Kentucky D..

Wyoming Joins Iowa, Ohio In Anti-Pipeline Protest Legislation

Wyoming has become the third state to introduce a bill targeting pipeline protests, envisaging penalties of up to 10 years in prison for “impeding critical infrastructure” and up to US$1 million in fines for any organization that “aids, abets, solicits, encourages, hires, conspires, commands or proc..

Atlantic Coast Pipeline Cost Expected to Rise by $1.5B

(AP) — The cost of a controversial natural gas pipeline planned to run through Virginia is expected to increase by more than $1 billon. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports Duke Energy is a 47 percent partner in the 600-mile (1,000-kilometer) Dominion Energy-led Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Duke CEO Lyn..

Wisconsin Governor Signs Bill to Cover Lead Pipe Replacement

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill designed to help Wisconsin homeowners cover the cost of replacing lead pipes. The measure would allow public water utilities and local governments to provide grants, loans or both to property owners to help them replace portions of lead water..

Minnesota Governor Pushes Public Works Package for Water Quality Efforts

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton is doubling down on his call to fund hundreds of millions of dollars in water infrastructure projects. That funding is an integral part of the Democratic governor’s $1.5 billion package of public works construction. But Dayton and other public officials said ..

Plumber Gets Probation in Trench Collapse that Killed Worker

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Pennsylvania plumber who pleaded guilty to violating federal workplace regulations before a trench collapse that killed a man has been placed on probation for two years. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that 67-year-old Wayne George, of Hookstown, apologized in court Wednesda..

Pro Pipe Partners with Perma-Liner Industries to Expand Lateral Lining Services

Professional Pipe Services, Inc. (Pro Pipe) today announced a partnership with Perma-Liner Industries (Perma-Liner) to provide main/lateral connection lining services nationwide. As municipalities seek to reduce the impact of inflow and infiltration (I&I) on the broader wastewater collection system..