Sewer
Honolulu wastewater bonds earn AA+ rating, opening door for sewer infrastructure upgrades
Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services will issue $223 million in green wastewater bonds after earning an AA+ rating from S&P and a positive outlook from Fitch, securing funds for critical sewer infrastructure upgrades on Oʻahu.
Put the money where the pipe is: Optimizing wastewater pipeline rehabilitation projects
Utilities are under pressure to stretch limited wastewater funding while tackling aging pipelines and sewer overflows. This article outlines how smarter bid packaging and contractor efficiency can maximize rehabilitation budgets and reduce costs.
Three Houston workers killed by hydrogen sulfide leak during sewer repair
A hydrogen sulfide gas leak claimed the lives of three Houston-area workers on Wednesday, as they were working on sewer repairs in Trinity County. CBS 19 News and Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace reported that the gas leak was contained to a manhole, and after ensuring safety, first responders were able to recover the victims.
New UK partnership will deploy over 90,000 sewer monitors to improve system resilience
Netmore Group has entered into a partnership with Detectronic, a UK-based environmental and engineering company with a focus on helping utilities and industrial clients prevent flooding and reduce pollution.
St. Louis, Mo., hides four miles of River Des Peres in tunnels beneath Forest Park
Hidden beneath Forest Park, St. Louis's River Des Peres flows through four miles of century-old tunnels. MSD plans a deeper, expanded system to handle growing wastewater and stormwater needs.
Tybee Island sewer system overflows, spilling 40,000 gallons into creek
Tybee Island, Ga., faced a significant sewage spill on Saturday due to heavy rainfall that overwhelmed the sanitary sewer system. Despite the city's efforts, approximately 40,000 gallons of stormwater mixed with wastewater overflowed from manholes into a local creek, marking the third spill of the summer for the community.
Texas city finishes major sewer overhaul after nearly 20 years
The city of Temple, Texas, has successfully completed the Bird Creek Trunk Sewer Project after nearly 20 years. Development plans initially kicked off in late 2006, with the project work divided into five manageable phases to minimize disruption. The final phase involving complex tunneling and major rebuilding efforts, according to a city spokesperson.
Sewer line expansion delivers critical infrastructure for Tyler, Texas’ 282-acre site
Tyler, Texas, approved a $992,000 sewer project to make a 282-acre business park development-ready. City leaders say the project will attract new industries and jobs.
Hawaii County begins $31 million Pāhala wastewater pipeline to retire cesspools by 2027
Hawaii County has launched construction on a $30.9 million wastewater system in Pāhala to eliminate large-capacity cesspools under a federal mandate. Work includes sewer line installation, property hookups, and road restoration.
California advances major sewer project to protect Yucca Valley’s groundwater
Yucca Valley, Calif., will move forward with a major groundwater protection project after the California Department of Fish and Wildlife approved a permit allowing septic tanks to be replaced with a new sewer system.
38% rate hike sought to cover $65 million in water, sewer upgrades for Wheeling, W. Va.
The city of Wheeling, W. Va., has proposed a 38% rate increase to cover more than $65 million in prioritized water and sewer system improvements, The Intelligencer reported. Wheeling city officials and members of the Public Utilities Committee gathered last week to discuss the most crucial wastewater and sanitary sewer system projects needed for the community.
Valparaiso, Ind., begins stormwater separation project to protect Salt Creek
Valparaiso, Ind., has launched a sewer and stormwater separation project to cut flooding, protect Salt Creek, and reduce combined sewer overflows. The upgrade will eliminate 20 storm inlets from the system and is set to begin construction in 2026.
2 workers killed, 1 injured while working on sewer line in Mobile, Ala.
Two contractors working on a sewer line near Mobile, Ala., died Monday after becoming disoriented and losing consciousness in a confined space, according to fire officials. A spokesperson for the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) cited toxic gas, possibly hydrogen sulfide, as the likely cause.
EPA orders Puerto Rico developers to halt water pollution at Rincón housing site
EPA has ordered two Puerto Rico construction companies to stop stormwater pollution at a Rincón housing development and comply with Clean Water Act permit requirements.
Wilsonville, Ore., proposes sewer, stormwater rate increases to fund $240 million upgrades
Wilsonville is reviewing sewer and stormwater rates to fund $240 million in long-term infrastructure projects, with public hearings planned ahead of a fall adoption vote.
Portage, Ind., completes $3.5 million sewer rehabilitation with USACE partnership
Federal and local officials celebrated completion of a $3.47 million sewer rehabilitation project in Portage, Indiana, designed to reduce overflows and protect nearby wetlands and residential areas.
New Orleans utility launches AI tool to track neighborhood flooding
New Orleans flooding tool, SWBNO FloodTracker, ISeeChange AI partnership, New Orleans stormwater management, catch basin reporting New Orleans, localized flooding New Orleans, SWBNO drainage maintenance, stormwater infrastructure tracking.
Fla. city debuts Vactor truck to enhance underground infrastructure maintenance
According to 352today, the City of Ocala, Florida's Water Resources Department tested out its new Vactor truck last week, describing it as a major upgrade in maintaining the city’s underground infrastructure. The department stated the high-powered truck will help clear sewer lines, storm drains and more.
U.S., Mexico sign deal to end decades-long Tijuana River sewage crisis
The U.S. and Mexico signed an agreement to accelerate sewage infrastructure projects and permanently resolve the decades-long Tijuana River pollution crisis affecting Southern California.
Westport, N.Y., completes $3.1 million wastewater upgrade to protect Lake Champlain
Westport, N.Y., has finished a $3.1 million wastewater overhaul to protect Lake Champlain, cutting infiltration and improving reliability for the rural community.
Aqua Pennsylvania finalizes $38 million wastewater system acquisition in Beaver Falls, Pa.
Aqua Pennsylvania has completed its $37.75 million purchase of Beaver Falls’ wastewater system, serving 3,200 customers and planning $10 million in infrastructure upgrades.
NYC subway flooding ignites concerns over stormwater infrastructure
Officials in New York are re-examining the city's infrastructure and stormwater systems following flash flooding last week that inundated parts of the city's underground subway system.
Crews complete undersea wastewater pipeline to boost New Zealand infrastructure
Tunnel boring wraps up on $22 million Clarks Beach wastewater outfall in New Zealand, marking a major step in expanding the region’s underground water infrastructure.
Loveland, Colo., issues bonds for $122.5 million utility infrastructure overhaul
Loveland, Colo., is investing $122.5 million in utility upgrades, including new water mains, wastewater treatment expansion, and underground electric grid improvements.
DEP launches SPEED program to fast-track stormwater construction permits
Pennsylvania DEP’s new SPEED program lets builders pay for an expedited third-party review of Chapter 102 stormwater permits, part of a broader push to modernize the state’s environmental permitting process.
Ala. man survives being pulled into flooded drainage pipe, carried 500 feet underground
A man in Alabama survived a harrowing ordeal last week after he was sucked into a flooded drainage pipe and swept hundreds of feet through an underground pipe system during severe weather. According to NBC affiliate WVTM 13, the city of Trussville's public works department is currently reviewing options to improve stormwater safety and reduce future flooding risks.
Union workers' strike in Philadelphia will affect water, wastewater systems
Thousands of union workers went on strike this week following a stall in contract negotiations with the city of Philadelphia. Many employees who have walked off the job are responsible for repairing and maintaining the city's water, wastewater and stormwater systems, CBS Philadelphia reported.
Iowa city completes $100 million in sewer upgrades decades ahead of schedule
The city of Waterloo, Iowa has met the requirements of a federal consent decree issued in 2016 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Iowa. Originally expected to take up to 30 years, the city has met all obligations in just 10 years by investing more than $100 million in upgrades to its wastewater treatment system and sewer infrastructure.
Huntsville, Ala., approves sewer rate hike to fund $150 million system upgrade
The City of Huntsville has approved its first sewer rate increase in 20 years to support a $150 million investment in aging sewer infrastructure and improvements at five wastewater treatment facilities.
Boulder, Colo., completes $46 million phase of main sewer upgrade
City engineers say the new pipeline increases flood resilience and lowers the risk of overflows during extreme weather. The original line, installed in 1968, has endured multiple floods, including the 2013 Front Range disaster.
- PHMSA warns of heat risks in aging plastic gas distribution pipelines following deadly Pennsylvania explosion
- OSHA seeks $1.2 million fine after fatal trench collapse in Connecticut
- Phase 1 Alaska LNG pipeline advances with construction awards, pipe supply agreements
- OSHA issues 16 citations following fatal sewer confined space incident
- Gateway Tunnel construction faces shutdown next week as Trump withholds federal funding
- T-Mobile to expand fiber broadband infrastructure footprint with $4.9 billion Metronet acquisition
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- Construction jobs stumble into 2026 after weak year
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility
- Cityside launches $100 million fiber build in Corona, Calif.