Water Inspection

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.

South Dakota receives federal grant to remove lead in school drinking water

(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $426,000 in grant funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to remove lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities across South Dakota.

Wisconsin governor greenlights funds for PFAS eradication in stormwater, sewer systems

(UI) — Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have announced new funding available to help communities address per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in wastewater.

6 days after fuel spill reported, most in Tennessee city still can’t drink the tap water

Many of the 40,000 people who live and work in the Memphis suburb of Germantown remained under an order Wednesday to avoid using water for everything except flushing toilets. They can't drink or boil tap water, or use it for showering or bathing.

USGS study estimates 45% of tap water has PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ present

(UI) — According to a new conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, at least 45% of the nation’s tap water is estimated to have one or more types of the chemicals known as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS.

Tijuana, reliant on the Colorado River, faces a water crisis

Among the last cities downstream to receive water from the shrinking Colorado River, Tijuana is staring down a water crisis driven also by aging, inefficient infrastructure and successive governments that have done little to prepare the city for diminishing water in the region.

Flint contractor agrees to settlement of lead contamination lawsuits

Flint families sued LAN and another contractor, Veolia North America, accusing them of not doing enough to get Flint to treat highly corrosive water or to urge a return to a regional water supplier.

EPA invests $278 million to improve water infrastructure for Tribes, Alaska Native Villages

(UI) — The Biden-Harris administration has announced over $278 million in funding to improve access to safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater services for American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages.

Sewer main failure causes water contamination in Georgia’s One-Mile Branch Creek

(UI) — The Utilities Department was able to detect a failure in an eight-inch sanitary sewage main after a thorough investigation and video inspections.

3M reaches $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of water systems with ‘forever chemicals’

Chemical manufacturer 3M Co. will pay at least $10.3 billion to settle lawsuits over the contamination of many U.S. public drinking water systems with potentially harmful compounds used in firefighting foam and a host of consumer products, the company said Thursday.

Utah plans to invest $14 million in water infrastructure in Cedar City

(UI) — Officials in Cedar City intend to invest over $14 million in water infrastructure as part of their long-term water strategy. However, the proposed budget for this year is still subject to modification.

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.

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.

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.

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.

California officials begin construction to restore water infrastructure damaged by fire

(UI) — As a first step in repairing its Peavine Raw Water Pipeline, which was destroyed by the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fire almost three years ago, the district has hired a contractor to start evaluating, cataloging, and eventually removing problematic trees.

Judge OKs money for billing system upgrade for Jackson water

A judge Tuesday approved a request to set aside federal money for new billing software and other services for the troubled water system in Mississippi’s capital city.

Jackson needs federal funds to cover infrastructure repairs, appointee says

The manager appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice to oversee reforms to the beleaguered water system in Mississippi’s capital city says he won’t have enough money to cover expenses until more federal funds arrive.

Wavin invests in Aquacycl high strength wastewater treatment technology

(UI) — Orbia's building and infrastructure business Wavin, a water technology leader, has awarded $50,000 in non-dilutive capital to Aquacycl, an energy-neutral wastewater treatment technology company.

83 projects awarded $585 million to improve aging water infrastructure, advance drought resilience

(UI) — The Biden-Harris administration has awarded nearly $585 million in funding to 83 projects across 11 states to increase drought resilience and improve water delivery systems.

Stantec tapped to support Jackson, Miss., water improvements

(UI) — Stantec has been selected by JXN Water LLC to lead the analysis and design of improvements to the water distribution system serving the residents of Jackson, Mississippi.

EPA releases 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment

(UI) — The Safe Drinking Water Act requires that the EPA conduct a survey and assessment every four years to examine the needs for infrastructure improvements and maintenance at public water systems. The 7th DWINSA estimates that $625 billion will be needed for infrastructure improvements over the next 20 years — a 32% increase from the $472.6 billion projected in 2022.

Biden vetoes bill that sought to toss EPA water protections

Defending his administration's actions on clean water, President Joe Biden on Thursday vetoed a congressional resolution that would have overturned protections for the nation's waterways that Republicans have criticized as overly intrusive.

Broken water pipe in Jackson, Miss., leaks 5 million gallons per day

(UI) — The leak at the old Colonial Country Club in Jackson, Miss., wasted an estimated 5 million gallons of drinking water daily in a community that had none to spare, forcing citizens to boil their tap water and businesses to close because their faucets were dry.

Military members file claims for fuel in Hawaii Navy drinking water

A Navy sailor, an Army colonel and an Army major are the first active-duty military members taking the initial step toward suing the U.S. government over jet fuel that contaminated drinking water in Hawaii.