Water Asset Management

Water utilities race to complete lead line inventories as EPA deadline looms

As the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Oct. 16 deadline approaches, water utilities across the U.S. are scrambling to submit detailed inventories of lead service lines as required by the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Prattsburgh, NY gets $4.9 million federal funding for water system overhaul

The funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, will replace outdated water mains, ensuring a safe, clean, and reliable water supply for the community.

2024 water infrastructure bill gains Senate approval for key U.S. projects

The U.S. Senate has passed the bipartisan Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024, which authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to advance key water infrastructure projects across the nation, including West Virginia.

Asheville, N.C., faces weeks-long recovery after Tropical Storm Helene damages water system

Asheville’s water system suffered severe damage from Tropical Storm Helene, disrupting treatment facilities and distribution lines. Washed-out roads are complicating repair efforts, with city officials warning it may take weeks to fully restore service to the area’s 94,000 residents.

Michigan invests $1 billion in water infrastructure to improve health, environment

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is funding 72 projects under the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds in fiscal year 2024.

HardRock Infrastructure acquires HDW Construction & Drilling, expands water utility services

HardRock Infrastructure Services and Tower Arch Capital have completed the acquisition of HDW Construction & Drilling, strengthening HardRock’s presence in the water and wastewater utility industry.

New York’s College Point completes $139 million upgrade: Water mains and sewers revamped

A $139 million infrastructure project in College Point, Queens, has been completed, upgrading over 14 miles of water mains and sewers, along with street improvements.

Michigan awards $267 million to rebuild state water infrastructure

Michigan has awarded over $267 million in grants to cities, villages, and townships across the state to improve water infrastructure and protect public health.

Cadiz names Cathryn Rivera as new COO to lead groundbreaking water projects

Cadiz Inc., a California-based water solutions company, has appointed Cathryn Rivera as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective Sept. 16. The move follows the earlier appointment of Susan Kennedy as CEO, as part of the company’s efforts to expand its leadership team.

Buried Asset Management Congress opens registration

The 2024 Global Buried Asset Management Congress (GBAMC) will offer an exceptional platform for professionals across the underground infrastructure sector. Scheduled for Nov. 14-16, in the Omni Severin Hotel, Indianapolis, this event promises to deliver many industry highlights.

New Mexico launches AI-powered initiative to spot water leaks

New Mexico is teaming up with Google Public Sector and Woolpert Digital Innovations on a new initiative called Hydro Delta, which uses artificial intelligence to detect water leaks, many of which are hidden underground and difficult to identify.

Senator Joe Manchin backs Pickaway waterline extension in West Virginia's Monroe County

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin has announced new funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to extend the Pickaway waterline in Monroe County, improving access to clean drinking water for residents of Union.

League City, Texas, advances major underground water, sewer upgrades with $308 million investment

League City, Texas, is investing $184 million to enhance its water system and $124 million for wastewater improvements as part of its Capital Improvement Program for FY2024-2028.

Ferguson Waterworks partners with AQS for nationwide leak detection solutions

Through this collaboration, Ferguson Waterworks will supply and maintain AQS’s advanced leak management systems for water supply networks, including both distribution and transmission lines.

Saskatchewan, Canada to begin $2 million water infrastructure upgrades

The Water Security Agency is set to invest over $2 million in five critical water infrastructure projects across Southwest Saskatchewan.

Lynchburg, Va., begins work on $400 million Blackwater CSO tunnel to protect waterways

Construction has started on the Blackwater CSO Tunnel, the largest capital improvement project in Lynchburg's history. The nearly mile-long, 12-foot diameter tunnel will be built 70 to 120 feet below Blackwater Creek.

EPA blames state for Jackson water crisis, cites inadequate oversight

The EPA has released a critical report highlighting the Mississippi State Department of Health’s failures in overseeing Jackson’s water system, which contributed to the 2022 water crisis impacting 150,000 residents.

Central Florida’s Toho Water Authority secures $188.3 million for water infrastructure expansion

The EPA has awarded a $188.3 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan to the Toho Water Authority to enhance water infrastructure in Polk and Osceola counties.

ITpipes secures $20 million to transform water infrastructure management with AI, cloud solutions

ITpipes leverages AI and machine learning for automated condition assessment to provide quality inspection records for decision-making. ITpipes offers cloud-based tools housed in a single inspection repository. By leveraging Environmental Systems Research Institute mapping for visualization, these tools help cities transition from reactive to proactive pipeline planning.

League City, Texas, expands flood protection with new drainage improvements

League City, Texas, is making headway in its flood protection and drainage improvement projects under the 2019 GO Bond Proposition A. The $73 million bond aims to fund 21 drainage projects, primarily targeting areas in and around several League City subdivisions.

Stantec manages $104 million Blackwater sewer overflow tunnel in Lynchburg, Va.

The $104 million Blackwater CSO tunnel will have a diameter of 12 feet and will be located 70 to 120 feet below ground, providing about 4.7 million gallons of storage capacity.

Kansas Commerce unveils first regional water project in a decade for Coffeyville and Caney

The Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded funding for the first regional water project in over a decade. This project aims to improve water access for residents in Coffeyville and Caney through the construction of a 14-mile water pipeline.

Editor’s log: The road to rehab intensifies

The 1970s marked a revolution in underground infrastructure with the birth of cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) technology, allowing pipe repairs without excavation. This innovation, alongside other trenchless methods, has transformed the industry and continues to drive efficient solutions for aging infrastructure.

Survey reveals concerns over PFAS contamination in U.S. drinking water

A recent survey conducted by water treatment provider Culligan sheds light on widespread concerns among Americans regarding the presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in their drinking water.

California achieves record groundwater recharge in 2023

Despite improvements, California faces a 40 million acre-feet groundwater storage deficit due to decades of over-pumping. Addressing this requires expanding recharge projects, upgrading infrastructure, and modernizing distribution systems.

Port Arthur to evaluate water service lines and meters

The evaluation work will include digging pit holes to expose sections of water service lines near the meters, facilitating thorough inspections and assessments.

South Dakota allocates $105 million in ARPA grants for water infrastructure projects

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources has announced that the Board of Water and Natural Resources approved over $105 million in additional American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants.

Flume leads largest residential water use study in North America

Flume Water has been selected by the Water Research Foundation to conduct the largest-ever Residential End Uses of Water Study in North America, involving over 50 utility partners and data from over 100,000 households. This groundbreaking research aims to enhance water management and sustainability across the continent.

Stantec to lead phase 2 of San Diego’s Pure Water program

Stantec has been selected to manage Phase 2 of the Pure Water San Diego program, a multibillion-dollar initiative to create a sustainable local water supply while reducing ocean discharges.

Henderson, Nev., to implement Arcadis digital asset management system for 500,000 water assets

Arcadis will support the migration of information from the City's legacy system to Enterprise Decision Analytics (EDA). The Arcadis team will load, configure, and build lifecycle models for their 500,000 water and wastewater assets with detailed strategies for reservoirs, HVAC, sewer mains, potable water laterals, and meters.