Stormwater

“Unprecedented” storms stress but don’t break Los Angeles sewer infrastructure

During the recent storms that battered Los Angeles County, floodwater caused temporary overloads to sewers. However, none of these overflows resulted from aging infrastructure or inadequate sewer maintenance.

Maine governor fast-tracks $50 million infrastructure resilience plan

Governor Janet Mills plans to invest $50 million in the Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund to help Maine communities rebuild in the wake of the recent devastating storms and ensure their infrastructure can withstand the impacts of extreme storms in the future.

Washington's Department of Ecology proposes $386 million clean water investment plan

The Department of Ecology in Washington state has proposed $386 million in grants and loans for 134 high-priority clean water projects. These projects aim to upgrade wastewater treatment and sewer systems, manage polluted stormwater, and address nonpoint pollution across the state.

Grant Road widening project in Tucson, Ariz., to include extensive sewer, water infrastructure upgrades

The widening of Grant Road involves water main replacement work, sewer main additions, cross roadway box culverts and storm drains, and a large 96-inch diameter culvert for storm runoff mitigation.

Pennsylvania's water infrastructure gets boost with $194 million investment

The federal funding supports 28 critical water projects in the state—addressing issues like lead pipe replacement, system rehabilitation, service upgrades, and environmental contamination reduction across drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.

Maryland's ambitious flood mitigation project set to break ground in Ellicott City

The Extended North Tunnel, designed to carry 26,000 gallons of stormwater per second through a mile-long, 18-foot diameter tunnel, is a crucial element in the multimillion-dollar initiative to mitigate flooding in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Advanced Drainage Systems and RMS form strategic alliance for stormwater solutions

This collaboration will drive further advancement of sustainable stormwater solutions throughout the United States and Canada.

EPA to establish National Stormwater Centers of Excellence with $3 million grant program

Once selected, the Stormwater Centers of Excellence will develop and enhance stormwater best practices by conducting research on new and emerging stormwater control infrastructure technologies and alternative funding approaches; providing technical assistance to state, Tribal and local governments; and collaborating with regional institutions.

Swinerton Builders penalized for Clean Water Act stormwater violations

A complaint filed with the settlement alleges that during its construction of solar farms near American Falls, Idaho, Lafayette, Alabama, and Perry and White Counties, Illinois, Swinerton failed to use proper stormwater controls, did not conduct regular site inspections by qualified personnel and did not accurately report and address stormwater issues.

Valdosta, Ga., faces sanitary sewer crisis as 100,000 gallons spill into Withlacoochee River

A sewer line collapse sent 100,000 gallons of sewage into a ditch draining into a river, the city of Valdosta said in a statement on Jan. 12. The incident highlights the pressing need for the city's utility department to address aging infrastructure.

Albemarle, N.C., secures $17 million state funding for water and sewer upgrades

According to WSOC-TV, the city of Albemarle is set to enhance its water systems with a substantial $17 million funding allocation from the North Carolina State budget.

Erie's Gannon University awarded over $300,000 for stormwater infrastructure upgrade

Gannon University, in Erie, Penn., is set to bolster its stormwater infrastructure, thanks to a $308,098 grant announced by state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski, both D-Erie.

Gainesville, Ga., halts sewer spill into Lake Lanier, addresses issue promptly

The Gainesville Department of Water Resources has successfully intervened to contain a sewage overflow into Lake Lanier

Florida governor allocates $30 million for Caloosahatchee River water quality projects

Governor Ron DeSantis has awarded more than $30 million in state funding to support six water quality projects in the Caloosahatchee River Watershed. These projects will help address excess nutrients, which are known to contribute to increased algal blooms, by investing in wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

Woolpert secures $5.4 million stormwater management contract in South Carolina

Woolpert will provide services throughout the state related to every aspect of stormwater management, including the development of stormwater quality design standards and specifications, illicit discharge detection and elimination, erosion and sediment control, post-construction water quality, monitoring, and public education.

Pennsylvania secures over half a million dollars in grants for stormwater management upgrades

State Rep. Nancy Guenst, D-Montgomery, has announced $546,221 in grants from the Commonwealth Financing Authority has been awarded for stormwater management improvements in her district.

TDEC unveils $191.2 million water infrastructure investment across Tennessee

(UI) — The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has revealed a comprehensive $191.2 million investment plan that will fund diverse projects ranging from wastewater and drinking water enhancements to stormwater management initiatives.

Virginia builds $18 million stormwater vault system to mitigate flooding

The stormwater vaults, constructed underneath Cardinal Elementary School in the county’s Torreyson Run Watershed, are capable of holding over 15 million liters of water, making it one of the largest precast concrete stormwater vaults in the Mid-Atlantic.

Fort Worth residents brace for 2024 water and stormwater fee hikes

(UI) — Fort Worth, Texas, residents will witness alterations to water and wastewater fees for the first time in four years starting January 1, 2024, as sanctioned by the City Council.

Sewage spill of 14,400 gallons in Durham, N.C., raises environmental concerns

(UI) — A post-Christmas sewage mishap unfolded in Durham, North Carolina, leading to an overflow of approximately 14,400 gallons of untreated wastewater from a sewer line, the City of Durham Department of Water Management reported.

Emergency stormwater capture system to be installed in Lahaina, Hawaiʻi

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, County of Maui, and the Federal Highway Administration is installing an emergency stormwater capture system in Lahaina to reduce the environmental impact from silt, ash, and other disaster debris potentially entering storm drainage systems.

Philadelphia, Montgomery County to benefit from $7.5 million sewer, stormwater investment

(UI) — Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes has approved over $7.5 million for water infrastructure improvement projects in Philadelphia and Montgomery County.

Illinois American Water invests $76.7 million in 2023 for local water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — In 2023, Illinois American Water will have invested $297 million in water and wastewater system infrastructure replacement and enhancements throughout the state. Locally, in the company’s Central Division, the capital investment in infrastructure has reached $76.7 million in 2023.

Report: U.S. stormwater market to grow as aging infrastructure struggles under extreme weather

Cities now have to address the management of rainwater due to excessive water flooding roads and buildings and overwhelming stormwater systems.

St. Louis scrap metal facility violated Clean Water Act with uncontrolled stormwater runoff, EPA alleges

EPA alleges that SA Recycling failed to comply with certain terms of its Clean Water Act permit, including failure to update and implement practices to prevent runoff of pollution, failure to perform inspections, and failure to train employees on stormwater management practices.

Born after Superstorm Sandy's destruction, 2 big flood control projects get underway in New Jersey

A decade after they were first envisioned in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy's destruction, two of the largest flood control projects designed to protect the densely populated cities of New Jersey that lie just outside New York City finally got underway last week.

Florida receives $120 million WIFIA loan to improve stormwater infrastructure, mitigate flooding

The City of Fort Lauderdale’s Neighborhood Stormwater Improvements Project will enhance climate resilience, upgrade stormwater infrastructure, and reduce water pollution.

EPA selects six communities to receive technical assistance to improve stormwater management

The expected outcome of the effort is a tailored stormwater management strategy for each municipality, as well as important progress toward improving the water quality impacts of stormwater runoff.

Fairbanks Morse Defense awarded $31 million contract to refurbish Arkansas stormwater pumping station engines

The pumping station plays a critical role in the Mississippi River and Tributaries project flood management system by protecting the lower St. Francis River Basin from damaging floodwater that would otherwise threaten the safety and livelihood of those living and working within the watershed.

Governor Hochul secures $234.5 million for New York water infrastructure

(UI) — Governor Kathy Hochul has approved over $226.8 million in financing and previously announced grants to commence essential water and sewer infrastructure work, including flood mitigation measures safeguarding critical clean water systems from high-water events.