Sewer

Tampa planning $200 million water infrastructure repair project

The City of Tampa, Florida, is replacing dozens of miles of aging underground pipes in several neighborhoods, which should improve water pressure and water quality

Detroit-area utility says it’s not responsible for flooding from 2021 storm

A Detroit-area water utility said will deny flooding claims stemming from a damaging storm last summer based on an independent review that found the flooding was caused by the amount of rainfall and not a defect in its wastewater collection and pumping system.

US awards $1.5 million grant to Oxford, Ala., for drainage improvements

The U.S. Secretary of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a $1.5 million grant to the city of Oxford, Alabama, to make infrastructure upgrades, which includes drainage improvements and the resurfacing of Bynum Cutoff Road.

Navajo president allocates $215 million in federal aid for water infrastructure improvements

Navajo Nation leaders have finalized an agreement on spending priorities for more than $1 billion in federal pandemic relief to improve water, sanitation, housing and communications infrastructure.

US invests $2 million to replace aging water infrastructure in West Monroe, La.

The U.S. Secretary of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a $2 million grant to the city of West Monroe, Louisiana, to replace aging sewer infrastructure.

Islip, NY receives $7.2 million grant to build new sewer pipe

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration has awarded a $7.2 million grant to the town of Islip, New York, for construction of a new sewer pipe to support local businesses.

Tech Tips: Structural Rehabilitation of Manholes

According to published reports, it is estimated that there are over 20 million manholes in the USA and many of them have reached or exceeded their expected service life.

Asset Management: One Street at a Time

Trees have elaborate root systems that invade sanitary sewer pipes and can clog or block sewage flow. Roots are a primary cause of sewer system overflows (SSOs).

New York governor rolls out $255 million in grants for water infrastructure upgrades

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has made $255 million available in state grants for critical water and sewer infrastructure projects that will protect the state's public health and the environment, the governor said on Thursday.

Calgary responds to more than 7,000 sewer clogs in one year

Calgary, Alberta, is hoping to inform residents about the dangers of flushing single-use wipes down the toilet, as it is causing a strain for the city’s wastewater crews.

Parts of Minnesota campus evacuated after sewer explosion

Authorities were monitoring buildings for natural gas leaks and have evacuated a portion of the campus. The fire department tweeted that the incident was likely a flammable gas spill rather than natural gas in the sewer.

KUB continues investment in East Tennessee water, sewer, natural gas, and fiber optic infrastructure

As infrastructure across the U.S. ages and communities begin to feel the impact, Knoxville Utilities Board continues what it started 15 years ago to ensure its safe and reliable utility services do not suffer as a result of aging infrastructure.

Boston commissioners advance $150 million sewer separation project

The Boston Water and Sewer Commission has advanced the next phase of the East Boston Sewer Separation project, involving separating approximately 230 acres of combined sewer area, along with installing new storm drains, updating existing sewers, replacing adjacent aging water mains, and modifying existing regulator structures.

West Virginia getting $21 million in federal funding for water infrastructure

West Virginia senators announced grants and loans totaling about $21.5 million to help improve water infrastructure in rural communities.

PCCA Maintains Aggressive Agenda at 77th Annual Convention

Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) Chairman Bob Breeden, ElectriCom, Inc., looked around the crowded ballroom at the opening session of the 77th Annual PCCA Convention, smiled, and thanked members for showing up in such strong numbers: 405 total and 250 primary attendees, more first-timers than ever before, and a record number of sponsors.

Inflation rates taking toll on new US infrastructure projects

Inflation is taking a toll on infrastructure projects across the U.S., driving up costs so much that state and local officials are postponing projects, scaling back others and reprioritizing their needs.

Michigan officials believe chemical company likely source of Flint River spill

The spill, which started Wednesday, was coming from a storm sewer that discharges into the Flint River.

$1 Billion Wastewater Plant Upgrade Leverages Modern Solutions

Across North America, population booms are putting pressure on the capacity limitations of aging municipal wastewater treatment plants.

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Latest industry developments

Water company fined $1.2 million for sewage discharge into Rio Grande

The New Mexico Environment Department has fined El Paso Water $1.2 million for allegedly discharging more than 1 billion gallons of raw sewage into the Rio Grande in Sunland Park.

Rhode Island wastewater plant still discharging partly treated sewage into Blackstone River

A wastewater treatment plant in Rhode Island has been discharging sewage that’s only partly treated into the Blackstone River all week, state environmental officials said.

Vermont governor approves $104 million budget for water infrastructure projects

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has signed an $8.1 billion state budget into law that delegates $104 million to water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure projects.

North Dakota landfill OK'd for radioactive oilfield waste

North Dakota regulators approved a permit for a landfill near Williston that aims to become the state's first to accept radioactive oilfield waste.

Pipeline rupture in Tempe, Ariz. reveals larger water infrastructure issue

Thousands of homes in Tempe, Arizona, could be facing critically-deteriorated sewage pipes underneath them, which was exposed by a recent pipe rupture that spilled around 8 million gallons of water and closed a major Phoenix-area highway, 12 News reported.

New Jersey receives record 679 requests for water infrastructure improvement projects

The state of New Jersey has received a total of 679 requests totaling nearly $7 billion for necessary water quality improvements and other public-health protection projects, according to its Water Infrastructure Improvement Plan that was released last week.

Partly treated sewage found running into Blackstone River

Environmental officials are urging residents to avoid a stretch of the Blackstone River after finding that sewage was leaking into the river from a wastewater treatment plant on Sunday.

Wastewater analysis and COVID testing sparks privacy concerns

Many of the environmental scientists engaged in investigating wastewater for genetic signals of the COVID-19 virus are not experienced with ethical obligations associated with generating and handling human health data, leading to privacy concerns.

Local governments turn away $73 million of federal pandemic aid

From small towns to big cities, every government across the U.S. was offered a slice of $350 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds to help shore up their finances, cover pandemic-related costs and invest in community projects. For many cities and towns, those funds have been invested in sewer, water and stormwater infrastructure projects.

Lack of water in Puerto Rico town sparks federal lawsuit

Puerto Rico’s water and sewer company was hit by a federal lawsuit on Thursday demanding that it provide services to thousands of residents who lack potable water on a daily basis.

Harris calls water security and infrastructure a foreign policy priority

Vice President Kamala Harris said the U.S. is safer if people in other countries have sufficient water to drink, grow food and safely dispose of sewage, emphasizing that water access is a foreign policy priority.