Water Asset Management
Vermont town employee quietly lowered fluoride in water for years
Residents of a small community in Vermont were blindsided by news that one official in their water department quietly lowered fluoride levels years ago, giving rise to worries about their children’s dental health and highlighting the enduring misinformation around water fluoridation.
27 municipalities selected to participate in NY clean water infrastructure program
(UC) — Governor Kathy Hochul has selected 27 municipalities to participate in a program in New York that will help develop asset management programs to evaluate, monitor, protect, and responsibly plan upgrades for wastewater infrastructure facilities.
Aging infrastructure led to E. coli in Baltimore water
Aging infrastructure contributed to an E. coli contamination of the city of Baltimore’s water system in early September, officials said last week.
Jackson’s water system at the mercy of political spending rhetoric
Years before people in Jackson were recently left without running water for several days, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves claimed to have helped block money to fund water system repairs in the capital city.
Water.org unveils $1 billion plan for water access in Africa, Asia, Latin America
The Water.org Water & Climate Fund plans to use $50 million in philanthropic money to create a billion-dollar investment portfolio to help bring new water delivery and wastewater treatment projects to underserved communities, then use those communities’ utility bills to fund further projects.
Lawyer: Mississippi capital’s water issues to be best handled by court system
(UC) — A New York City-based attorney who has filed federal lawsuits against Jackson, Mississippi, since October 2021 thinks the court system is best suited to handle the decades of neglect that led to the current infrastructure crisis.
Grand Canyon’s South Rim restricting water after waterline breaks
The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin phasing into greater water restrictions and conservation measures due to a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline.
EPA blocked from appealing key ruling as Flint residents pursue water claims
A judge blocked the Environmental Protection Agency from appealing a key ruling in a long-running lawsuit claiming negligence by the federal government in Flint’s lead-contaminated water in 2014-15.
Mississippi business owner pleads guilty in clean water case
The co-owner of a Mississippi fat and oil recycling business has pleaded guilty for his role in illegally discharging industrial waste into the City of Jackson’s sewer system, federal prosecutors said.
Flooding submerges pumps, cuts water supply for thousands in Georgia
It’s the second time in recent years that some Summerville residents have gone without clean water. In 2020, the city advised residents not to drink the water, although they could still use it for other things, after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found high levels of some chemicals.
4 families sue US over Navy jet fuel-tainted tap water in Hawaii
The U.S. Navy “harbored toxic secrets” when jet fuel contaminated drinking water for 93,000 military members and civilians in Hawaii, according to a lawsuit filed by four families who say they’re still suffering from seizures, gastrointestinal disorders and neurological issues.
Pressure mounts to fix water issues in Mississippi capital
A business group and one of Mississippi’s largest unions have issued separate statements urging renewed action to address Jackson’s “water crisis.”
EPA issues guidance to help communities locate dangerous lead water pipes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is releasing guidance that will help communities and water utilities identify lead pipes that connect drinking water service to homes and other buildings.
Defense seeks sanctions against prosecutors in Flint water case
Lawyers for Michigan’s former health director asked a judge Monday to sanction prosecutors who are trying to instantly turn invalid indictments into a fresh round of charges in the Flint water scandal.
Water line break requires North Carolina to issue boil water advisory
A western North Carolina town has issued a boil water advisory after a major water line break led to low pressure as well as a loss of water.
Textile maker to close Georgia plant employing 260 after former owner illegally dumped wastewater
The plant on the Ogeechee River had a different owner, King America Finishing, in 2011 when more than 30,000 fish died near the facility and further downstream. Regulators never directly tied the plant to the fish kill, but discovered King America had been illegally dumping treated wastewater into the river for years.
Washington seafood processor fined $92K for water quality violations
The company released wastewater containing fecal coliform, grease, oils, and other solids above the amounts allowed in its permit, officials said. The company also didn’t monitor several wastewater discharges as required by the permit.
$27 million investment to improve infrastructure, water protection in Avalon Peninsula, Canada
Canadian officials announced more than $27 million in funding for three projects to improve public services and protect waters in St. John's, Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove, and other surrounding communities.
Arizona governor signs $1.2 billion water infrastructure plan amid cutbacks
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation Wednesday that will provide $1.2 billion over three years to boost long-term water supplies for the desert state and implement conservation efforts that will see more immediate effects.
Prosecutors hope to keep charges alive in Flint water crisis
Prosecutors signaled that they would pursue the same charges against former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and eight others in the Flint water crisis, just a few days after the state Supreme Court said indictments must be dismissed.
Oregon hikes Port of Morrow water pollution fine to $2.1 million
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has increased the Port of Morrow’s groundwater contamination fine to $2.1 million following additional wastewater violations.
New Mexico reaches $32 million settlement over 2015 mine wastewater spill
The spill released 3 million gallons and water utilities were forced to scramble and shut down intake valves while farmers stopped drawing from the rivers as the contaminants moved downstream.
Odessa, Texas, without drinking water after pipe breaks amid scorching temperatures
Crews worked to restore water service Wednesday to the West Texas city of Odessa, where residents have been without water this week amid scorching temperatures after an aging pipe broke.
$5.4 million stormwater mitigation in Pennsylvania should resolve decades of flooding
Authorities hope a $5.4 million stormwater mitigation project in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, will put an end to decades of flooding.
Congress considering investigation of DC’s water supply
A Washington, D.C. based congresswoman introduced provisions to the Water Resources Development Act that would study whether D.C. needs to increase its water supply.
EPA to award $21.7 million in grants to support clean, safe water for rural communities
The EPA announced its selection of technical assistance providers to receive $21.7 million in grant funding to support drinking water and wastewater systems that serve small and rural communities.
Colorado, Nebraska jostle over water rights amid drought
Nebraska's plan underscores an increasing appetite throughout the West to preemptively secure water as winter snows and year-round rainfall diminish, forcing states to reallocate increasingly scarce flows in basins such as the South Platte and the Colorado River.
Spokane County, Wash. helping fund $14 million water infrastructure project
The commissioners of Spokane County, Wash., are expected to give the Whitworth Water District $4 million to help pay for a $14 million infrastructure that should help bring water to an undersupplied area.
Arizona nuclear plant seeking alternative source of water
The plant uses about 65 million gallons of treated wastewater every day — more than 23 billion gallons (87 billion liters) a year — to generate electricity. That water is getting more expensive, and to keep the plant economical, Arizona Public Service Co. is exploring ways to use it wiser.
Large dairy farm sues state over wastewater permit changes
Farm operators say the monitoring system will cost tens of thousands of dollars initially, plus the fees indefinitely paid to experts to sample, analyze and interpret data from the wells.
- DeLa Express seeks FERC approval for Permian-to-Louisiana gas pipeline project
- OSHA penalizes Houston contractor over safety violations resulting in worker's death
- Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes
- Nevada OSHA fines Elon Musk's Boring Company over safety violations in Vegas tunnel project
- Hudson Tunnel Project set to generate 95,000 jobs during construction phase, report says