Water Inspection

Drought-prone California OKs new rules for turning wastewater directly into drinking water

California regulators on Tuesday approved new rules to let water agencies recycle wastewater and put it right back into the pipes that carry drinking water to homes, schools and businesses.

Wisconsin DNR preps 2024 grant program for small water systems to deal with PFAS contamination

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is creating a new grant program to help small public water systems reduce PFAS and manganese contamination levels.

Jackson, Miss., water rates to increase early next year

The Jackson City Council on Tuesday unanimously abstained from voting on a proposal to change the city’s water billing rate structure that will result in an increase, WLBT-TV reported.

Residents in St. Croix sue government over water contaminated with lead and copper

A group of residents have sued a public utility company in the U.S. Virgin Islands after authorities there reported finding high levels of lead and copper in the tap water on St. Croix. The report caused panic and forced tens of thousands to rely on bottled water.

Hawaii secures $75 million federal funding for safe drinking water expansion

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have joined forces to secure $75 million in federal funding for the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS).

EPA awards Maryland over $240 million for water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Maryland $240.5 million to support clean water efforts and to better deliver safe drinking water across the state.

Montana challenges EPA rule to protect water quality certifications, foster infrastructure development

(UI) — Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and ten other state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule on Dec. 5 stating that it makes "sweeping and unlawful" changes to federal regulations governing state-issued water quality certifications.

West Virginia to receive $109 million from EPA for water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award West Virginia $109.88 million to support improvements to water systems and access to safe drinking water across the state.

EPA awards Pennsylvania nearly $387 million for water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Pennsylvania $386.9 million to support clean water efforts and better deliver safe drinking water across the state.

Congressmen ask DOJ to investigate water utility hack, warning it could happen anywhere

Three members of Congress have asked the U.S. Justice Department to investigate how foreign hackers breached a water authority near Pittsburgh, prompting the nation’s top cyber defense agency to warn other water and sewage-treatment utilities that they may be vulnerable.

Illinois American Water invests $76.7 million in 2023 for local water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — In 2023, Illinois American Water will have invested $297 million in water and wastewater system infrastructure replacement and enhancements throughout the state. Locally, in the company’s Central Division, the capital investment in infrastructure has reached $76.7 million in 2023.

Asset management: Working with Duke’s ‘like having a crystal ball’

(UI) — When optimizing sewer and wastewater treatment systems, it can be overwhelming to look at more than 100 miles of sewer pipe funneling heavy flow during a rain event and wonder where that excess flow is coming from.

Collaborative $200 million investment targets Oklahoma's water infrastructure

(UI) — Oklahoma tribes, state agencies, and various communities have come together, leveraging the resources provided by the American Rescue Plan to amass over $200 million to enhance the water infrastructure of the region's residents.

Wisc. governor allocates $402 million to combat PFAS, water infrastructure projects

The money will be available to 106 Wisconsin municipalities to help them build water infrastructure projects, replace lead service lines and address emerging contaminants such as PFAS.

Groundbreaking advances made with EPBM tunnel constructed below sea level

(UI) — Houston Public Works launched the Surface Water Transmission Program (SWTP) to comply with an HGSD mandate. The 66-inch, 50-year-old pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) is the primary source for the western part of the city, and its shutdown would impact the system's capacity.

Major water main break impacts thousands, prompts state of emergency in a northern New York county

A state of emergency was issued Thursday in a northern New York county, where the Fort Drum U.S. Army base is located, following a major water main break that has left tens of thousands without water.

What’s changed — and what hasn’t — a year after Mississippi capital’s water crisis?

It’s a stark contrast from a year ago, when Jackson’s 150,000 residents could never be sure what, if anything, would flow from their taps when they needed a drink, a shower or to flush the toilet. The majority-Black city also faced occasional warnings that their water could be contaminated and needed to be boiled, and people had to wait in line to get fresh water.

US military to begin draining leaky fuel tank facility that poisoned Pearl Harbor drinking water

The military next week plans to begin draining fuel from World War II-era underground fuel tanks in Hawaii, nearly two years after the massive facility sickened 6,000 people when it leaked jet fuel into a Pearl Harbor drinking water well.

Federal, local officials secure $450 million dredging deal to clean up Milwaukee waterways

Federal, state and local officials have agreed to spend about $450 million to dredge contaminated sediment from Milwaukee’s Lake Michigan harbor and area rivers.

Extended reprieve for New Orleans water systems as saltwater intrusion slows

Authorities said that saltwater inching up the Mississippi River is progressing more slowly than projected, meaning water systems in the greater New Orleans area that draw drinking water from the river have additional weeks to prepare.

HDD mud spills force authorities to halt wastewater pipeline construction in NY’s Genesee County

(UI) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has stopped construction of a wastewater pipeline in New York's Genesee County due to multiple incidents of drilling fluid spills in a protected wetland.

Georgia’s Lowndes County and Moody Air Force Base to undergo water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is delivering new upgrades to improve water infrastructure in Lowndes County and Moody Air Force Base.

Beaumont, Texas, unveils $123 million plan to overhaul water infrastructure

(UI) — This intricate plan, spanning five years, carries a substantial price tag of $123 million, with a significant portion, $43 million, allocated to the replacement and maintenance of water pipelines during this period.

Advocates urge expanded public hearings about Baltimore’s water and sewer system

(UI) — The Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task Force announced that it would hold four in-person meetings throughout this fall before recommending a new governance model for the city’s water and wastewater system.

Communities unite to overcome decades of undrinkable water in West Texas

In rural West Texas, water problems underscore a broader issue: a 2016 report revealed 65 Texas systems with excessive arsenic, impacting 51,000 residents. Despite this, around 65 residents convened at a July meeting united in their aim to establish the South Plains Water Supply Corporation. Moreover, relief is on the horizon with $2.5 billion in federal funding allocated for water infrastructure.

127-year-old water main gives way under NYC’s Times Square, flooding streets, subways

A 127-year-old water main under New York’s Times Square gave way early Tuesday, flooding midtown streets and the city’s busiest subway station.

Governor Hochul secures $185 million for New York water infrastructure

(UI) — Governor Kathy Hochul has secured over $185 million for water infrastructure projects across New York. The Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors has given the green light to provide financial assistance for vital water infrastructure improvements throughout the state.

New York governor commits $20 million to Erie County water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — The allocation will enable the Erie County Water Authority (ECWA) to embark on a long-anticipated $80 million modernization project, including the renewal of water filters responsible for treating 60 million daily gallons from Lake Erie.

Maui water deemed unsafe post-fire, filters ineffective in addressing contamination

The Maui fires damaged hundreds of drinking water pipes, resulting in a loss of pressure that can allow toxic chemicals along with metals and bacteria into water lines.

New Jersey invests $15.2 million to revitalize Monmouth Country infrastructure

(UI) — New Jersey American Water has announced a $15.2 million investment to replace over five miles of aging water main in Fair Haven, Middletown Township, and Union Beach, beginning this summer. The company will upgrade water lines that were installed as far back as the 1920s.