Sewer
Newton, Iowa, advances sanitary sewer rehabilitation project
Identified through video camera inspections, sections of the city's sewer mains were found to be in dire need of repair, particularly in areas affected by groundwater infiltration or obstructed flow due to tree roots.
Sandy, Ore., expands sewer capacity following EPA approval
Sandy, Oregon, has received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a significant increase in its wastewater system's capacity, marking a crucial milestone for the city's infrastructure development.
Davis, W.Va. secures $5 million grant to revamp decades-old sewer infrastructure
Davis, a town nestled in Tucker County, West Virginia, is set to modernize its aging wastewater system thanks to a $5 million grant announced by Senator Joe Manchin.
Pro-Vac strengthens Texas presence with Hydromax acquisition
(UI) — Pro-Vac, a leading provider of essential underground infrastructure services, announced that it has acquired Hydromax, a leading provider of hydro excavation services in South Texas.
British Colombia to invest $34 million in underground utility improvements with trenchless technology
Innovative approaches are being employed to reduce costs and minimize disruptions, such as the use of trenchless repair technology for the Burtch Sanitary Trunk upgrade project. The rehabilitation project will repair 2.7 km of sanitary sewer pipe using Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) technology.
Tampa, Fla., to embark on “historic” infrastructure overhaul
The city of Tampa, Fla., announced its “biggest infrastructure overhaul in its history.” The investment includes stormwater improvement projects, hundreds of miles of new or repaired water and wastewater pipes, and much more.
Pennsylvania allocates $7.5 million for stormwater, sewer upgrades in Northampton
Bethlehem Township and Bangor Borough, in Pennsylvania’s Northampton County, are receiving $7.5 million, collectively, to make significant upgrades to their respective stormwater and sewer systems. The money is part of a greater $274 million granted to the state by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Grundfos launches new wastewater submersible pumps for municipal water utilities
The Grundfos SE range 48 1.5-15Hp pumps are available with efficient single-channel or SuperVortex impellers allowing for free passage of solids up to 4 inches. This advanced technology greatly reduces the risk of clogging and ensures maximum uptime and low operating costs for vital wastewater facilities.
Underground infrastructure overhaul planned for Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, N.M.
A critical piece of underground infrastructure at the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant is about to get a makeover.
Tyler City Council updated on sewer system rehabilitations under Consent Decree
The City Council of Tyler, Texas, recently received a comprehensive update from Pipeline Analysis LLC regarding the ongoing and future rehabilitation plans for the city's sewer system as mandated by the Consent Decree.
$274 million investment to improve water quality across Pennsylvania
This investment, facilitated through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, will fund 30 projects focusing on drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and non-point source issues.
Houston urged to allocate $20 million for vital sewer line repairs in marginalized communities
Groups such as the Northeast Action Collective, West Street Recovery, and Bayou City Waterkeeper have highlighted the significant health hazards posed by leaks in private sewer lines, particularly affecting residents in Northeast Houston.
Kansas allocates $3 million for Riley County water infrastructure
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Bureau of Water has announced a $3 million investment into Riley County’s water infrastructure. The funds will be used to improve wastewater systems at University Park and the Keats community in Riley County.
Sewer maintenance: Myth-busting, best-practice training
Sewer maintenance is an ongoing challenge for cities and municipalities. Moreover, gaps in best-practice training can cost public works departments unnecessary time and expense in labor, water and energy costs when cleaning sewer lines.
Editor’s Log: And the smiles never stopped
In late March, UI wrapped another successful Underground Infrastructure Conference. Per usual, a wealth of information and market intelligence was gathered from remarkable speakers and experts in a variety of fields including sewer installation and rehabilitation, fiber optics, power, horizontal directional drilling, and safety.
Ishpeming, Mich., commences construction on $16 million sewer infrastructure project
The City of Ishpeming has commenced construction on its over $16 million sewer infrastructure project. The comprehensive scope of this endeavor involves the replacement or rehabilitation of approximately 25,000 feet of sewer main.
East Bay cities, municipal utility for violating 2014 Clean Water Act settlement with sewer overflows
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board announced that the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and six East Bay cities will be assessed $372,876 in penalties for violating settlement terms designed to prevent untreated sewage from entering San Francisco Bay.
Trenchless Technology provider Vortex Companies appoints veteran employee as COO
As one of Vortex's first employees when the company opened its doors in 2015, Ryan Graham has steadily risen through the ranks, most recently serving as Senior Vice President for Vortex Services.
Charleston Water System settles huge lawsuit over sewer system damage caused by non-flushable wipes
CWS brought suit in January 2021 against major U.S. companies seeking injunctive relief to remedy costly and ongoing damage to sewer systems and treatment facilities due in significant part to the inability of allegedly “flushable” wipes to break down, often clogging wastewater infrastructure and causing sewer overflows that damage the environment.
Woolpert implements Rapid Ready asset management system for California utility provider
Rapid Ready will provide standardized maintenance and tracking for WCW’s lifecycle management assets, including manholes and sewer pipes, as well as service requests, maintenance activities, and costs in an organized fashion that supports reporting and process improvements.
EPA fines California's East Bay cities, utilities over sewage discharges
The EPA and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board have announced fines totaling $372,876 for sewage discharge violations in the East Bay. Penalties target EBMUD and six cities for failing to prevent untreated sewage from entering San Francisco Bay.
Senator Manchin secures federal funding for wastewater infrastructure upgrade in Romney, W.Va.
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) has announced a significant federal investment of $400,000 from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support essential upgrades to the wastewater systems in the Town of Romney.
EPA extends compliance deadline for sewer system improvement projects in Lexington, Ky.
The amended consent decree will extend the current compliance deadline for the city to complete sewer system improvements from Dec. 2026 to Dec. 2030.
Fire in Mexico City's storm drain highlights underground infrastructure strain amid water shortage
Amid a severe drought in central Mexico, water authorities grapple with mounting challenges, including a recent fire in one of Mexico City's storm drains, highlighting the strain on underground infrastructure. Struggling to address the water scarcity, authorities have decided to halt water extraction from the Valle de Bravo reservoir, home to an upscale lakeside community.
North Carolina allocates $25 million to mitigate flooding with upgraded stormwater infrastructure
The State of North Carolina allocated $25 million to the Golden LEAF Foundation to establish the Flood Mitigation Grant Program to provide up to $2,000,000 per project to various branches of local government.
Canada’s Central Saanich launches major sewer system overhaul as infrastructure reaches end of lifecycle
Handling roughly half of Central Saanich's wastewater, including flows from the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) First Nation, the aging Brentwood Bay sewer system is due for an overhaul after reaching the end of its lifecycle.
Kelowna, BC, invests $7 million in CIPP technology for sewer pipe repair
The city of Kelowna, located in the south of Canada’s British Columbia province, is set to embark on a $7-million project next week to repair 1.6 miles of sanitary sewer pipe using cutting-edge trenchless technology known as Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP).
Vermont allocates $29.25 million to combat combined sewer pollution
Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) have announced $29.25 million in grants aimed at improving municipal combined sewer infrastructure and curbing pollution in Vermont’s water bodies.
Memphis to upgrade stormwater infrastructure with $10 million WIFIA loan
With this WIFIA loan, the City of Memphis will complete 13 projects, including planning, design, and construction for the rehabilitation of pipes, culverts, drains, drainage ditches, and detention basins.
County of Hawai’I to rehabilitate aging wastewater infrastructure following sewer overflows
The order requirements include designing a new pipeline that conveys wastewater under pressure at Kealakehe, replacing and repairing the Hale Hālāwai and the Pua pipelines that convey wastewater under pressure, and more.
- Tunnel boring machine ‘Clack-A-Mole’ nears one-third completion in Oregon outfall project
- Explosion in underground PG&E vault leaves one dead in Richmond, Calif.
- Sinkhole in Texas town accrues over $800,000 in sewer rehabilitation costs
- Water and Sewer Damage Awareness Week highlights infrastructure challenges
- Duke Energy undergrounds 48% of Florida power lines with plans to expand as hurricane season peaks
- Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
- Elgin, Ill., joins EPA drinking water initiative to accelerate lead pipe replacement
- Dog River pipeline replacement in Oregon improves water supply with new HDPE pipe
- New Portable Welding System From Miller
- GasTracker Accurately Locates Plastic Gas Pipes