Water
Work paused on NYC’s massive tunnel repair as drought triggers contract overhaul
The $2 billion effort to fix a leak in New York City’s Delaware Aqueduct, which supplies water to millions, is now expected to finish after 2027 due to drought-related delays and contract revisions.
Aqua Pennsylvania to install PFAS treatment, replace over 200 lead lines in multiple counties
Aqua Pennsylvania will install PFAS treatment systems and replace over 200 lead service lines across several counties as part of its ongoing water quality upgrades, with completion expected by 2026.
$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.
Los Osos, Calif., water pipeline project still on hold as Army Corps delays approval
A long-awaited pipeline project to connect Los Osos, Calif., to the state water system remains stalled as the Army Corps of Engineers has yet to approve funding. Local officials and Congressman Salud Carbajal are pressing for action.
Monongahela, Pa., replacing 1,300 feet of water main to improve service and fire protection
Pennsylvania American Water began the project this week along Second Street, where crews are replacing 1,300 feet of pipe originally installed in the 1950s. The new eight-inch ductile iron pipe will extend from West Main Street to Union Street.
EPA faces key decision on future of national PFAS drinking water limits
The EPA is expected to decide soon whether to uphold strict PFAS drinking water limits challenged by utilities, with millions of Americans' water protections hanging in the balance.
Clock ticking on Canandaigua, N.Y., plan to remove toxic chemicals from water
Senator Schumer is urging the EPA to end delays and approve $1.75 million in funding for Canandaigua, N.Y.'s drinking water upgrade. The project, vital for 40,000 residents in Ontario and Wayne counties, targets harmful DBP chemicals linked to cancer and organ damage.
EPA gives $49 million boost to rural, small and tribal wastewater projects
The EPA has awarded $49 million to help rural, small and tribal communities upgrade wastewater infrastructure and improve Clean Water Act compliance. The funding supports technical assistance programs that help communities manage aging systems and access financing.
Jacobs lands five-year operating contract for Calif. water recycling system
Jacobs was awarded a five-year contract by the West Basin Municipal Water District to provide operations and maintenance (O&M) services for the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility and its four other facilities, which comprise the largest water recycling operation of its kind in the U.S.
Water losses cost U.S. utilities $6.4 billion annually, new report says
Nearly one in five gallons—19.5%—of treated drinking water in the U.S. is lost before it reaches customers or is improperly billed. This growing challenge, commonly known as non-revenue water (NRW), results in more than US$6.4 billion in uncaptured revenues annually for utilities, according to a new report from Bluefield Research.
Thousands in Central Texas face water curtailment during main line tie-in
More than 265,000 people in Central Texas could face reduced water access as Bell County WCID #1 prepares to shut down a major pipeline for tie-in work, prompting a 30% usage cut under Stage 3 drought measures.
PENNVEST approves nearly $243 million for statewide water infrastructure projects
Pennsylvania officials on Wednesday announced that the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) approved almost $243 million in grants and loans for 32 drinking water and wastewater projects in 23 Pennsylvania counties.
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.
Vortex acquires Prism to expand trenchless capability, service portfolio
Vortex Companies, a global leader in trenchless water and sewer infrastructure solutions, has acquired Prism Contractors & Engineers, Inc., in a strategic move that will enhance its trenchless technology applications for infrastructure across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast U.S. regions. Prism's core service offerings include civil engineering & surveying, trenchless rehabilitation, and utility construction.
USACE awards $404 million design-build contract for Port Arthur, Texas flood protection
USACE awarded a $403.9 million contract to Kiewit for major upgrades to Port Arthur’s flood protection system, including levee and floodwall improvements. The project aims to strengthen hurricane defenses along the Texas coast.
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.
Azuria acquires three companies to expand water infrastructure capability, services
Azuria Water Solutions™, a leading provider of infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation and technology-enabled water solutions, has announced the recent acquisition of three companies: TSW Utility Solutions, Inc., AM-Liner East, Inc., and C.K. Masonry Company, Inc.
Corte Madera, Calif., water district plans 13-mile pipeline to boost drought supply
Marin Water moves forward with design and review of a 13-mile underground pipeline to divert Russian River flows into local reservoirs, marking its largest drought resilience project in decades.
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.
Bloomington, Ind., works to replace aging pipes after 30-plus water main breaks
Bloomington, Ind., utility crews have repaired more than 30 water main breaks this year as the city works to upgrade aging cast iron and ductile iron pipes to improve reliability.
Scranton, Pa., water mains to be replaced in Abington upgrade project
Pennsylvania American Water will begin replacing over 3,500 feet of aging water mains in the Abingtons, part of a broader effort to improve service and modernize infrastructure.
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.
Illinois notifies 47 water systems of PFAS violations, triggers right-to-know requirements
Illinois EPA has notified 47 community water systems of PFAS violations under newly adopted groundwater standards. Affected systems must alert the public under Right-to-Know rules, as state and federal agencies ramp up PFAS oversight.
Cyberattacks on U.S. water utilities worsen, posing growing threat to infrastructure, study finds
A new Semperis study reveals that 62% of utilities in the U.S. and U.K. faced cyberattacks last year, with over half suffering permanent data loss. Nation-state actors, including China's Volt Typhoon, are increasingly targeting power and water systems.
Gov. Newsom’s push to advance $20 billion Delta Conveyance tunnel project continues
According to Los Angeles Times, state hearings are continuing as Calif. Governor Newsom fights for approvals to build a $20-billion water tunnel in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Lawyers for both opponents and supporters are engaged in debates over the project's costs, benefits and risks.
Final stretch of $34 million Becks Run water main project underway in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Nearly three miles of 42-inch water mains have already been installed along Becks Run Road. Construction is expected to wrap up by mid-summer.
PFAS contamination detected in groundwater system on Hawaiʻi’s most populated island
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) has detected PFAS chemicals in water samples from the Hōʻaeʻae Wells Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Treatment Facility, which serves the Waipahu ʻEwa Waiʻanae water system on Oʻahu.
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.
- 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