Water
Supreme Court limits federal power over wetlands, boosts property rights over clean water
The Supreme Court on Thursday made it harder for the federal government to police water pollution in a decision that strips protections from wetlands that are isolated from larger bodies of water.
Frequent water main breaks in Minnesota suburbs spotlights aging infrastructure problems
In St. Louis Park, officials are seeking money from the Biden administration’s 2021 infrastructure bill to repair parts of the city’s 160 miles of water mains. In addition, the city invested $400,000 into an inspection machine to locate weaknesses in water infrastructure.
Hitachi Vantara to supply Arizona Department of Water Resources with asset management solution
The solution is part of the State of Arizona’s efforts to bolster sustainability and resource management and secure the future of water for the Grand Canyon State’s 7 million residents amid the broader water supply challenges facing the Southwest.
Broad Channel infrastructure project receives “Envision Verified Award”
(UI) — The Broad Channel infrastructure project is raising streets and implementing new storm sewers to reduce flooding in an area that Jamaica Bay frequently inundates during high tides and storms.
Charges dismissed against ex-public works official in Flint, Mich., water scandal
A judge dismissed charges Monday against a former local official in Flint, the last of nine people to benefit from a state Supreme Court decision that struck down a series of indictments in the city’s lead-in-water scandal.
New Mexico receives $12.6 million investment for desalination research facility
(UI) — While in Southern New Mexico today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Congressman Gabe Vasquez announced a $12.6 million investment from the President’s Investing in America agenda to support the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Firefighting foam contaminates public water system for about 9,000 in Maine
Firefighting foam used in battling a fatal fire in an apartment building entered the public water system, prompting the water district to order thousands of residents not to drink the water.
California governor pledges to fast-track “hundreds of billions of dollars” for water projects
For the past decade, California officials have pursued water projects in the drought-prone state. One would construct a giant underground tunnel to carry large amounts of water beneath the natural channels of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to drier and more populous Southern California.
Wisconsin to invest $125 million to combat PFAS groundwater pollution, delays spending plan decision
The committee approved the spending with all Republicans in support and Democrats opposed. The committee is working to crate the two-year spending plan, which must next be approved by the Senate and Assembly and then signed by Evers.
U.S. representative calls for modernization of Clean Water Act
On Tuesday, May 16, U.S. Rep. David Rouzer asserted that officials shouldn’t “ignore innovation and other major changes that have occurred since Congress passed the Clean Water Act” in 1972.
Stronghold Engineering wins $208 million Grand Canyon waterline rehabilitation contract
The National Park Service is preparing for a multi-year $208 million rehabilitation of the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL) and related upgrades to the associated water delivery system within the inner canyon and South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Governor Hochul approves $51 million for clean water, drinking infrastructure projects in New York
(UI) — Governor Kathy Hochul has approved $51 million in financing to advance important water and sewer infrastructure projects. The funds will help with system modernization, the removal of new pollutants from drinking water, and the replacement of lead service connections.
Highland Park, Mich., struggles under $20 million water debt, threatening its future
The community near Detroit is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy because it cannot pay its bills to the utility providing drinking water to the city. The debt owed to the Great Lakes Water Authority stretches back to at least the 1990s when the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department ran the water system.
Federal, state attorneys request litigation delay for Mississippi water violations
In a Wednesday court filing, government attorneys asked for a six-month stay, which would be the second such order. It’s part of a broader federal push to fix Jackson’s water system, which nearly collapsed last summer and continues to have problems with broken pipes and leaks.
Minnesota invests $240 million to replace lead pipes across the state
The money will fund a surveillance program to help identify structures that could be connected to service lines containing lead, while the state’s Public Facilities Authority will provide grants to cover replacement costs.
Texas House approves bill to set aside billions to upgrade state’s aging water system
A bill that was approved by the Texas House on Wednesday by a vote of 136-8 would establish a new fund to kickstart significant water supply projects and repair deteriorating water infrastructure around the state, The Texas Tribune reported.
Middlesex Water president, CEO Dennis Doll announces retirement
(UI) — Dennis W. Doll, Middlesex Water Co.’s president and CEO, has announced a plan to retire at age 65. Doll’s retirement is planned for December 31, 2023, or when a successor is duly named and on board.
Wisconsin environmental regulators settle wastewater lawsuit with large dairy farm
One of Wisconsin’s largest dairy operations has settled with state environmental regulators, which calls for the company to eventually stop spreading liquid manure in exchange for avoiding groundwater monitoring requirements.
Berkeley County Public Service Water District utilizes cloud-based asset management software
The District will be able to extend the life of its assets with a preventative maintenance schedule that includes recurring maintenance tasks, asset performance, and a plan for replacements and repairs.
Ice pigging offers low-risk, high-performance option for water system cleaning
(UI) — Park City, Utah, site of the 2002 Winter Olympics, is a 7,000-foot-high scenic wonder known for its sweeping mountain vistas, luxury homes and ski resorts, but its origins are literally more down to earth.
Spain to invest $2.4 billion in drought measures, including wastewater infrastructure and desalination plants
Ribera said $1.5 billion would go toward building the infrastructure to double the use of treated wastewater in urban areas and constructing new desalination plants to increase the national supply of drinking water.
Pittsburgh water rates could increase nearly 60% over next 3 years
(UI) — In order to continue funding its plans for infrastructure upgrades, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has submitted a request to state regulators for a rate increase of over 60% over the upcoming three years.
Mississippi “intentionally” impeded funds for Jackson’s water system, advocacy group claims
The Southern Poverty Law Center asked the U.S. Treasury Department to investigate Mississippi’s rules for distributing $450 million to water systems operated by cities, counties and rural water associations.
Louisville Water advances digital transformation with KloudGin asset management platform
As part of Louisville Water’s digital transformation initiative, KloudGin’s platform helped Louisville Water automate cross-control processes from legacy systems to a cloud-native, mobile application.
NERP partners with Ohio Stormwater Association for industry certifications
Through this partnership, OSWA members will have access to certain NREP certifications at a reduced rate, including the Certified Environmental Stormwater Compliance Professional (CESCP) certification.
Brown and Caldwell, AECOM chosen for landmark Pure Water Southern California program
(UI) — A joint venture of AECOM and Brown and Caldwell (AECOM-BC Team) has been chosen to provide program and project management support and engineering design services for the Pure Water Southern California program, one of the largest water reuse programs in the world.
Michigan receives low grades for drinking water, stormwater, wastewater infrastructure
The state faces potential problems with drinking water systems that are more than 50 years old and some approaching 100 years old, yet less than 1% of pipes are being replaced annually.
Texas water infrastructure failing under growing population
Texas has lost over 30 billion gallons of water because of previously fixed breaks in water lines, according to a report from 2021 from the Texas Water Development Board. Other faults in the state’s water infrastructure account for another 100 billion gallons lost, costing the state over $266 million.
Texas sets deadline for water utilities to apply for $213 million lead pipe location, replacement funding
As part of the state’s goal to eliminate 100% of buried lead water service pipes, a total of $213,455,000 is currently available for projects under the State Fiscal Year 2023 Lead Service Line Replacement Intended Use Plan.
Aegion announces acquisition of trenchless water rehabilitation provider Infraspec Services
(UI) — Aegion Corp., an infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation and technology-enabled water solutions provider, has announced the acquisition of Infraspec Services Inc., a corporation that specializes in trenchless water rehabilitation services in Quebec, Canada. Infraspec plans to operate under its current company name in the near term.
- Recycled water pipeline completed in Encinitas, Calif.
- Broken water pipe in Jackson, Miss., leaks 5 million gallons per day
- Texas water infrastructure failing under growing population
- Ice pigging offers low-risk, high-performance option for water system cleaning
- 60-Year wait ends as Arkansas Valley clean water pipeline project begins construction