Sewer
Ardmore-ADEM sewer overhaul project wins EPA’s PISCES award
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently honored the Town of Ardmore for its partnership with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and Tennessee officials that led to the financing of the planned overhaul of Ardmore’s long overburdened sewer system.
$51 million settlement adds to delays on Hartford, Conn., 41-million-gallon sewer tunnel
Hartford, Connecticut’s massive South Hartford Conveyance and Storage Tunnel project is now expected to cost $335 million and won’t be completed until 2026 after a legal dispute over groundwater conditions delayed progress.
Manchester, N.H. awards contract for tunnel project to address sewer overflows
Methuen Obayashi Joint Venture has been awarded a contract for the city of Manchester, New Hampshire’s Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel Project, the Union Leader reported. The Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel is a 2.25-mile tunnel that once built, will measure 12.5 feet in diameter and run 30- to 80-feet underground.
Nebraska communities unite to build regional wastewater system, opening path for growth
Sarpy County and five cities in Nebraska completed the first phase of a major wastewater project, overcoming geographic barriers to expand sewer service and unlock regional development.
Editor’s Log: Miles and miles to go
In this month’s Editor’s Log, Editor-in-Chief Robert Carpenter examines the persistent challenges facing major cities like Chicago in managing stormwater and sewer infrastructure, highlighting why even billions in federal funding still leave critical gaps.
UI Awards 2025: Top projects, technologies honored during Underground Infrastructure Conference
UI Awards 2025 recognized leading underground infrastructure achievements, including major sewer, fiber, water and rehabilitation projects, at the annual awards dinner during the Underground Infrastructure Conference.
Hoboken, N.J., installs new stormwater pumps in $100 million flood resiliency effort
Hoboken and the North Hudson Sewerage Authority installed five new stormwater pumps at ResilienCity Park, a major step in a $100 million effort to modernize sewer systems, mitigate flooding, and build climate resiliency.
Arkansas commits $575 million to strengthen statewide water, sewer infrastructure
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs legislation to invest $575 million in Arkansas water and wastewater infrastructure, supporting rural systems and long-term funding through 2043.
Charleston County, S.C. deploys trenchless tech for pipe repair, sinkhole prevention
Charleston County Public Works has successfully applied trenchless technology as a no-dig solution to fix aging stormwater pipes around the South Carolina county, and prevent sinkholes with minimal disruption, ABC4 News reported.
Albany, N.Y., approves $175 million for statewide water, sewer upgrades
New York State approves over $175 million in water and sewer infrastructure funding for projects across the state, supporting community upgrades, job creation, and long-term system improvements.
Massachusetts awards $1.24 billion for water, wastewater infrastructure projects
Massachusetts awarded $1.24 billion in loans and grants to fund 67 water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the state, supporting clean water, PFAS remediation, and energy efficiency improvements.
Mexico sewer rehab project is diverting untreated wastewater into Tijuana River
A sewer rehabilitation project in Mexico is resulting in untreated sewage being diverted into the Tijuana River at a rate of about five million gallons per day since April 8, according to The Coronado Times. Mexico is working to activate a lift station, to help remove wastewater, and U.S. agencies are assisting to expedite the work.
Dubuque, Iowa, plans $130 million sewer expansion; residents could see higher bills
Dubuque is moving forward with a $130 million plan to expand sewer capacity in the Catfish Creek sewershed. The upgrades aim to prevent overflows and support future growth, but could raise residential utility bills by 9%.
Bellevue, Wash., sewer upgrade is first project of its kind to earn Salmon-Safe certification
King County’s major sewer upgrade in Bellevue, Wash., is the first infrastructure project of its kind to earn Salmon-Safe certification. The current sewer line in the Coal Creek Natural Area, installed in the 1960s, is nearing its capacity to serve surrounding communities. The new pipeline will largely bypass the natural area while much of the existing pipeline will be safely decommissioned and left in place to minimize disruption.
NYC’s DEP completes excavation phase for underground tank to prevent sewage overflow into area canal
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the early completion of excavation for an 8-million-gallon underground tank that will intercept and store combined sewage that would otherwise overflow into the Gowanus Canal during rainstorms.
$60 million sewer project approved to improve Cape Cod water quality
According to Cape Cod Times, $60 million has been approved for a sewer project to improve water quality in the Great Pond area of Falmouth, Mass. Great Pond is known as one of the town’s most polluted water bodies.
Griffolyn pre-liners improve reliability in trenchless pipe lining
Griffolyn reinforced pre-liners offer added protection and reliability during CIPP trenchless pipe rehabilitation, helping prevent resin washout, liner buckling, and installation delays in water and sewer infrastructure projects.
Willamette River goes sewer overflow-free thanks to Big Pipe system in Portland, Ore.
Portland recently marked a major environmental milestone: one full year without a combined sewer overflow (CSO) into the Willamette River, a testament to the long-term success of the city’s $1.4 billion Big Pipe Project.
Evanston, Ill., begins sewer line rehabilitation project using CIPP trenchless technology
The City of Evanston has begun work on a multi-month sewer rehabilitation project using the Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) trenchless method. Sewer cleaning and inspection started on March 25, with pipe lining scheduled to begin in May, weather permitting.
EPA chief vows aggressive action on sewage crisis along U.S.-Mexico border
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has vowed to intensify the agency’s response to the ongoing sewage contamination stemming from the Tijuana River Valley.
ASCE gives U.S. infrastructure best grade yet—stormwater, wastewater and energy still near failing
The American Society of Civil Engineers gave U.S. infrastructure its highest grade since 1998, but critical systems like stormwater, wastewater, and energy remain near failing, according to the 2025 Report Card.
Supreme Court backs San Francisco in Clean Water Act case, limits EPA authority on sewage discharge
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision in favor of San Francisco on March 4, 2025, ruling that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cannot hold the city accountable for water quality conditions it cannot control.
NEDC sues Cannon Beach, Ore., as aging sewer system presents public health risks
The Northwest Environmental Defense Center (NEDC) has filed a federal Clean Water Act (CWA) lawsuit against the City of Cannon Beach, Oregon, in an effort to protect local residents and visitors from dangerously high levels of bacteria in local creeks and beaches.
Fairfield, Conn., to begin $31 million East Trunk sewer line replacement in May
A long-planned replacement of the East Trunk sewer line is set to begin in May 2025, with construction expected to last about 18 months. The project will replace aging sewer infrastructure to improve wastewater system reliability, reduce maintenance costs, and prevent future disruptions.
48-inch sewer line project begins in Visalia, Calif.
Sewer construction along Shirk Avenue in northwest Visalia is set to begin on March 17 after a weather-related delay. Crews will work through March 21, installing a 400-foot, 48-inch mainline sanitary sewer pipe to expand capacity and support future growth.
Unique nozzles unlock full potential of recycled water trucks
Specially designed nozzles are helping contractors and municipalities get the most out of recycled water sewer trucks, increasing jetting productivity and reducing downtime caused by clogs.
Folly Beach, S.C., to vote on $7.4 million stormwater infrastructure project
According to WCSC News, the city of Folly Beach, South Carolina, is considering upgrading a nearly 80-year-old portion of its stormwater infrastructure. City Council will meet soon to vote on whether to award $7.4 million to a construction company for the proposed improvements.
Waynesburg, Pa., sewer funding won’t be affected by federal cuts, project manager says
According to Herald-Standard, funding for sewer rehabilitation projects in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania won’t be affected by potential federal cuts. Project manager Robert Dengler told the Waynesburg Borough Council that two of the three grants have been secured, and he expects a third grant to be finalized this fall.
Shrewsbury, Mass., expands sewer inspections and cleaning efforts
Sewer system inspections and maintenance are underway in Shrewsbury as part of the town’s effort to reduce groundwater infiltration and improve wastewater infrastructure.
$9 million sewer repair project underway in New Roads, La.
According to WRBZ News, the city of New Roads, Louisiana, is commencing work on a long-overdue sewer repair project. New Roads Public Works Director Cletus Langlois told WRBZ that 13 out of 16 sewer lift stations are in failure, and the city’s sewer systems have fallen into neglect without the proper maintenance being done.
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs
- OSHA fines Calif. company for violations that led to fatal trench collapse
- Greenpeace must pay $667 million to Energy Transfer over pipeline protests, jury finds
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds