Regulatory
New leak detection rules for pipelines proposed
(UI) — The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has proposed major changes to its leak detection based not on concerns about safety but, rather, in order to reduce methane emissions related to their contribution to climate change.
Cities prioritize water main replacement, neglecting buried lead pipes
Around the country, utilities have been leaving lead pipe in the ground even when it is easiest to remove during water main work. Worse, they have been removing sections, disturbing the pipe and leaving the rest, which can spike lead levels, causing harm that will last a lifetime, an investigation by The Associated Press has found.
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.
EPA invests $278 million to improve water infrastructure for Tribes, Alaska Native Villages
(UI) — The Biden-Harris administration has announced over $278 million in funding to improve access to safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater services for American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages.
Supreme Court ruling complicates Navajo Nation’s fight for more water
Already facing some of the most severe water scarcity in the drought-stricken Southwest, the tribe now has to deal with a Supreme Court ruling this week that will make securing water even harder for the 170,000 enrolled tribal members who live on its reservation.
New York’s West Seneca set to upgrade 92,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer mains
(UI) — The Buffalo News reports that the state of New York-mandated sewage restoration project in West Seneca is about to start one of its most extensive phases. The town of West Seneca has already spent almost $17 million upgrading decaying sewage lines.
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.
Biden-Harris administration awards $930 million for middle-mile infrastructure
(UC) — The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration has announced over $930 million to expand middle mile high-speed Internet infrastructure across 35 states and Puerto Rico.
Supreme Court rules against Navajo Nation in Colorado River water rights case
States that draw water from the river — Arizona, Nevada and Colorado — and water districts in California that are also involved in the case had urged the court to decide for them, which the justices did in a 5-4 ruling.
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.
Arizona governor ends water dispute with new legislation, giving hundred access to city water
The law aims to ensure that small communities like Rio Verde Foothills have access to water in a state plagued with water supply problems.
Officials challenge California governor’s plan to accelerate underground tunnel construction
Supporters say the project, commonly known as the Delta tunnel, is a much-needed update of that water delivery system, which they say is not equipped to handle periods of prolonged drought followed by intense storms, like what happened earlier this year when the state was hit by roughly a dozen atmospheric rivers.
Cadmus wins $162 million contract to support EPA’s drinking water program
(UI) — Cadmus has been awarded a five-year, $162 million contract to continue supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in implementing vital programs for water safety and regulatory compliance.
American Business Water Coalition launched to support water infrastructure investment
(UI) — The American Business Water Coalition (ABWC), established to address the critical need for more federal investment into our nation’s water infrastructure, officially launched on June 13. The coalition provides businesses with a platform to urge Congress to increase investment in water infrastructure and ensure access to safe, reliable and affordable water for all.
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.
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.
Watchdog group calls for complete overhaul of New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board structure
The Sewerage & Water Board’s “unique” governing structure is responsible for several critical issues, including failing flood protection, boil-water notices and rising costs associated with a struggling billing system.
Supreme Court limits federal power over wetlands, boosts property rights over clean water
The Supreme Court on Thursday made it harder for the federal government to police water pollution in a decision that strips protections from wetlands that are isolated from larger bodies of water.
Charges dismissed against ex-public works official in Flint, Mich., water scandal
A judge dismissed charges Monday against a former local official in Flint, the last of nine people to benefit from a state Supreme Court decision that struck down a series of indictments in the city’s lead-in-water scandal.
Wisconsin to invest $125 million to combat PFAS groundwater pollution, delays spending plan decision
The committee approved the spending with all Republicans in support and Democrats opposed. The committee is working to crate the two-year spending plan, which must next be approved by the Senate and Assembly and then signed by Evers.
U.S. representative calls for modernization of Clean Water Act
On Tuesday, May 16, U.S. Rep. David Rouzer asserted that officials shouldn’t “ignore innovation and other major changes that have occurred since Congress passed the Clean Water Act” in 1972.
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.
Judge not inclined to shut down pipeline, pleads with Wisconsin tribe to work with oil company
A federal judge said Thursday he is unlikely to force an energy company to shut down an oil pipeline in northern Wisconsin, despite arguments from a Native American tribe that the line is at immediate risk of being exposed by erosion and rupturing on reservation land.
Texas House approves bill to set aside billions to upgrade state’s aging water system
A bill that was approved by the Texas House on Wednesday by a vote of 136-8 would establish a new fund to kickstart significant water supply projects and repair deteriorating water infrastructure around the state, The Texas Tribune reported.
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.
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.
Mississippi “intentionally” impeded funds for Jackson’s water system, advocacy group claims
The Southern Poverty Law Center asked the U.S. Treasury Department to investigate Mississippi’s rules for distributing $450 million to water systems operated by cities, counties and rural water associations.
DOJ probe finds Alabama ignored sewer issues in impoverished communities
The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday said an environmental justice probe found Alabama engaged in a pattern of inaction and neglect regarding the risks of raw sewage for residents in an impoverished Alabama county and announced a settlement agreement with the state.
Washington Watch: Congress unusually active on pipeline issues
(UI) — This could be one of the most impactful congressional years for the pipeline industry in decades. Besides the start of work on the next pipeline safety bill, the House passed a big energy bill (H.R. 1) by a vote of 225–204, with four Democrats joining Republicans in the affirmative.
Michigan receives low grades for drinking water, stormwater, wastewater infrastructure
The state faces potential problems with drinking water systems that are more than 50 years old and some approaching 100 years old, yet less than 1% of pipes are being replaced annually.
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Cadiz to reuse steel from terminated Keystone XL pipeline for California groundwater project
- Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- The EPA announces $6.2 billion in funding for Iowa and Kansas water infrastructure